ARNOLD – Finch Memorial Library’s roof renovation project was completed towards the end of May, thanks to generous donations received from all across the country.
The fundraiser to help replace the original, century-old green clay tiles was more successful than any library board member, or even the director, could have imagined.
The total estimated cost to replace the roof was $108,148.60. Insurance money handled nearly $100,000 of the cost, but an additional $14,200 was needed. Board members and director Marcy Lucas came up with the idea of selling individual tiles for $15 apiece – either as a commemoration or donation to the cause.
Word went out through the newspaper and in other ways, and people responded.
Library board member Rose Bierman said support came in from all corners of the country.
“We received money from not only Arnold residents, but from Lincoln and Omaha, all over Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, Washington, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, and a lot from California. Many letters were received with those donations, with a common theme of they or their loved ones had fun memories of coming here in their childhood.”
Still, with all the donations, Bierman said they ended $736 short of the goal; however, the Finch received a Custer County Foundation grant for a hot water heater, which came in $1,000 under budget; the remaining grant money was used to cover the roof’s final expenses.
As promised to those purchasing a tile in memory of someone, a memorial plaque will soon be created, and more names could be added to the list of hundreds of names if additional tiles are purchased.
“The plaque will have to be installed outside because it will be too large for the inside of the building. The love of the library is very evident in this fundraiser,” said Rose.
Ryan Tullis, Project Manager for Weathercraft Roofing, said it was an exciting project and he was thankful to be part of it in his hometown.
“It is a rare opportunity to be working on these roofs because they do not need to be replaced very often,” he said. “For example, this one was originally installed about 100 years ago. It’s a bit of a puzzle because certain tiles are cut and molded for hip or valley tile and then you have to put them back as best as they fit.”
He went on to say that Weathercraft replaced the north slope of the library’s roof in 1978, but outside of that, not much had been done in those 100 years.
Last summer, a temporary asphalt shingle roof was applied, which gave the roofers time to find the most fitting tile for the job. They were able to find some reclaimed tiles from the original manufacturer and had them shipped from Chicago. The glaze finish was changed, as it was lead-based, but Weathercraft managed to match that glaze almost identically. The hip and valleys, set in mortar, could not be completely preserved, though the roofers salvaged as many as they could.
Solid copper valley metal and nails were used for longer life expectancy, as was cedar lumber on the hip and ridges.
Part of the challenge was the sheer weight of the tiles at 900 pounds per 100 square feet.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind, but the work itself took nine days,” said Ryan.
