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Thurman leaves $150,000 to library


Justin Addison Editor/Publisher
Posted 11/3/20

The Howard County Public Library in Fayette is the recipient of a $150,000 gift from the estate of the late Lucile Thurman. The check was presented Thursday to the library by Frank R. Flaspohler, …

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Thurman leaves $150,000 to library


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The Howard County Public Library in Fayette is the recipient of a $150,000 gift from the estate of the late Lucile Thurman. The check was presented Thursday to the library by Frank R. Flaspohler, attorney for the estate.

The large gift is the second from Mrs. Thurman, who passed away this year. She also donated $150,000 toward the construction of a proposed splash park in Fayette. Another $25,000 was donated for a memorial bench and dogwood tree.

“The library is something that was always very important to her,” Flaspohler said. “Especially the children’s library. She definitely loved children, which is why in addition to the library, she donated toward the splash park.”

Thurman was a well-known Howard County resident and businesswoman. She passed away on June 4, less than seven weeks before her 101st birthday. She and her husband, Dorris E. Thurman, owned Thurman Paint and Wallpaper on the south side of Fayette’s downtown square. Ironically, that building now houses Flaspohler’s law office. “She would check things out every time she came in,” Flaspohler fondly recalled.

Howard County Public Library Director Chris Kloeppel said the board has not yet decided what to do with the money. The donation will help pay for previously planned tuck-pointing and gutter work, which is expected to begin at any time. After the first of the year, the library plans to update and upgrade the main floor. 

“We’re very excited. That was quite the generous donation,” Kloeppel said. “This is a wonderful way to continue providing library services.”

Kloeppel said the donation was very surprising, as Thurman never indicated her plans to the library. A frequent patron of the library, Thurman took advantage of the now defunct bookmobile while living in Armstrong. 

“She clearly loved her community,” Kloeppel said. “The library is committed to the community and this year has been such a trying time.”

Kloeppel said next year the library is hoping to utilize more meeting space and once again open up the teen reading room. She said that in normal years the library hosts community events to a huge response. The library hopes to offer more of those when the pandemic subsides. “We miss that,” she said.

Kloeppel said the library will likely incorporate the donation into more community events, in addition to classes and other programs designed to bring people into the library. Even home delivery could be an option. “We want to make sure we’re staying current with the teens and young adults,” she explained.

The library currently has a survey on its website to identify community wants and expectations.

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