$3.5M Donated By Federated Indians Of Graton Rancheria For New Library

ROHNERT PARK, CA — The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR or Graton Rancheria) has donated $3.5 million to the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation for the construction of a new library in the southwest Santa Rosa community of Roseland.

Along with $16 million provided by the City of Santa Rosa and the State, in addition to $5 million pending from other sources, this donation from Graton Rancheria helps close the construction gap of a total estimated project cost of $24.5 million, according to a news release.

“We are so proud and happy to be able to support a full-service library in Roseland where so many of us grew up,” said Greg Sarris, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Tribal Chairman. “Roseland is a community we love and support.”

Developed in partnership with the City of Santa Rosa, the new Roseland Regional Library is part of the Hearn Avenue Community Hub being built on a 6.5-acre site at the intersection of Hearn and Dutton avenues. The 20,000-square-foot library will be part of a campus that will include a community center, an aquatic center and a new fire station.

“The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s leadership role in this capital campaign is a perfect fit with city, state and library funds that have already been committed to a new library in the Roseland/Southwest area of Santa Rosa,” said Deborah Doyle, chair, Sonoma County Library Commission. “With those commitments and this generous gift, our construction goal is within reach, now we can focus on the $3 million left to raise to furnish and equip the 21st Century library that this community wants, needs and deserves. What a fabulous investment!”

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria,” Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Rogers said. “Their support and partnership helps put shovels in the ground as we deliver this critical project for the Roseland community.”

“This extraordinary investment is a testament to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s commitment to giving back to its community, and to its partnership with the library’s mission to support all who wish to discover, learn and share knowledge while we grow as a society,” said Erika Thibault, interim director, Sonoma County Library. “This is an important step in a long and mutually beneficial collaboration aimed at serving our community and learning together. We are incredibly grateful to Chairman Sarris and the Tribal Council for this visionary commitment.”