The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) is pleased to announce a $50,000 grant awarded to the Roachdale Public Library to support the critical renovation of its historic 1912 Carnegie building.
The grant announcement comes alongside the Roachdale Public Library’s community fundraising campaign to raise $75,000 by year-end from local businesses and donors. While the library secured a $1.4 million bond from the Putnam County Council in 2025 to initiate its first-ever renovation, rising construction bids outpaced the budget and forced project cutbacks.
With additional funding from PCCF, the library can restore essential features and expand accessibility for northern Putnam County residents.
“I’m honestly speechless. This surprise came at our exact time of need,” said Jennifer Stranger, director of the Roachdale Public Library. “This grant means that every donation we receive from this point forward can go directly toward the projects we previously had to set aside. We are ready for our next chapter and look forward to welcoming neighbors into our new space who previously couldn’t access our library.”
PCCF’s grant decision aligns directly with priorities identified in PCCF’s 2023 Community Needs Assessment, which surveyed over 1,200 local residents across the county. A central finding was that nearly 28% of respondents cited inadequate safe public spaces for youth outside of school as one of the top five issues facing their community—rising to 34% among North Putnam respondents. By completing renovations to the library’s upper level and lower-level children’s spaces, the library directly addresses this gap by creating dedicated after-school, homeschool, and summer learning environments, as well as private meeting spaces for civic groups.
“Investing in outlying communities is essential to building an equitable and resilient Putnam County,” said Neysa Meyer, executive director of PCCF. “Our 2023 Community Needs Assessment made it clear that rural areas in our county often face service gaps, particularly when it comes to safe, enriching environments for our children outside school hours. Roachdale Public Library serves an invaluable role for families across northern Putnam County, and we are proud to invest in a facility that will keep these vital services accessible to everyone for decades to come.”
The newly expanded and renovated space will provide a dedicated local history room allowing patrons to comfortably research genealogy and town archives, a private study room tailored for remote learning and professional meetings, and an expanded space for young adults. Crucially, the addition of an elevator ensures the library can deliver comprehensive, accessible programming to residents of all ages and abilities. Future programs include after-school tutoring, homeschool cohort meetings, and additional opportunities to host community groups.
“Thank you. You don’t know what this means to us,” Stranger went on to say. “While the grant means so much to the library financially, the fact that others see what we are all working towards and value what we work so hard for, that means everything to myself and my staff.”
To learn more about PCCF’s grants and the Community Needs Assessment, individuals may contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at (765) 653-4978.