By Sarah Brown
Lebanon Local
Friends of the Library have launched a memorial and fundraiser in honor of Harlan and Kathleen Mastenbrook, volunteers for the organization for more than 20 years.
Kathleen Mastenbrook died Oct. 23, 2020, and members of FOTL wanted to publicly recognize her for her community service to the library, said Lori McNulty, interim chairperson of FOTL.
Since Mastenbrook’s husband, Harlan, is also a pillar of the efforts to support the Lebanon Public Library and FOTL, members felt it was appropriate to include both in the recognition, McNulty said.
Kathleen’s vision had been failing for some time, so it was decided that the appropriate way to honor the pair is to purchase large-print books with bookplates on the inside of each that testify to the appreciation for the Mastenbrooks’ service, McNulty said.
As such, FOTL requests donations from the public to purchase large print books, which generally cost $30 to $35 each, and the nameplates will be added to the books purchased from that fund.
The library has a $1,200 budget to purchase large print books every year, but that’s a rather small number considering how much the books cost, said Kendra Antila, library director. Once those funds are depleted, Antila will draw from the donation fund, she said.
For more information, call Kendra Antila at (541) 258-4232, or email [email protected]. To send a donation, checks can be made out to “Friends of the Library,” and mailed to Kendra Antila, 55 Academy St., Lebanon, OR, 97355. The memo line must indicate it’s for the Mastenbrook memorial.