For the Ericksen family, the D.R. Moon Memorial Library has always been more than just a place to check out books—it has been a place of connection, learning, and shared memories across generations. They see that there is great value in places in the community that highlight our history as well as prepare our community for the future. When asked about key places in the community, the three places that immediately came to mind were the D.R. Moon Library, the Stanley Area Historical Society, and the Stanley-Boyd School District.
As longtime supporters of the library, the Ericksen family recently came together to make a generous donation to the Building Connections Capital Campaign to help ensure that the library continues to serve the community for many years to come. Their gift reflects a deep appreciation for the role the library has played in their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren. When asked what part of the project made them the most excited, the emphatic answer was, “The restoration of the existing building, to highlight the beauty of the woodwork and the character and charm of the 123 year old building.”
Over their many years as residents of Stanley, members of the family including James Ericksen, his wife Michelle, and their children, have visited the library for various reasons—storytimes with young children, discovering new books and authors, researching school projects, and simply enjoying the welcoming space the library provides. Their experiences with the library created lasting memories and a strong belief in the importance of providing a vibrant library for future generations.
Mr. Ericksen’s many years of service on the Library Board, as well as the time and energy he and Mrs. Ericksen have given to the library’s Building Connections Capital Campaign as part of a team of volunteers, offer clear examples of their dedication to the library and the broader community. It is the hope of the Ericksen family that patrons would “feel that this project was worth the time, money and effort. It was not just done by a governing board that made this happen, but it was hard work of the entire community for this project to become a reality.”
By supporting the Building Connections Capital Campaign, the Ericksen family hopes to help strengthen the library as a gathering place where people of all ages can learn, explore, and connect with one another.