Patrons of the Des Moines Library and community members are invited to join in fundraising fun as efforts get underway to bring a sculpture to the library grounds.

During the past year, a citizens advisory committee appointed by the Des Moines/Woodmont Library Advisory Board has studied the feasibility of commissioning and installing artwork on library grounds.

"Other libraries in the King County Library System, especially those on the Eastside and in the North End of the county, have wonderful sculptures, even entire sculpture gardens, gracing their exteriors," said library board member Barbara Lloyd McMichael.

"We've talked with library patrons in those communities, who regard the artwork as a vital extension of the library's mission, promoting a kind of 'visual literacy.' Well, we think our community deserves no less."

McMichael noted that few libraries in South King County have anything in the way of outdoor art, "and we think it_s up to us to change that!"

Librarian Carol Van Baalen, community liaison for the Des Moines/Woodmont/Kent Library Cluster, agreed.

"The Des Moines Library is a beautiful facility. An outdoor sculpture near the entrance will make it even more interesting and inviting to the community. I_m excited about the possibilities!" she said.

The Citizens_ Advisory Committee, which includes Anna Marie Biasini, Lora Bolding, Jack Kniskern, Esther Rickelton, McMichael, and Van Baalen, did extensive research and met with King County Library System officials and other library and community groups, which had undertaken similar projects.

The Committee hopes to raise $15,000-$25,000 to commission and install a large, bronze, child-friendly sculpture at the library.

It will have a maritime theme in keeping with Des Moines' Waterland City identity.

A call for proposals from artists will go out after sufficient funds are raised.

A three-pronged fundraising effort is getting underway this summer, and will be conducted under the auspices of the nonprofit Des Moines Friends of the Library.

A Book/Clam-O-Rama will enable businesses to back the literacy efforts already in place at Des Moines-area schools.

Businesses that pledge "clams" (money) to the sculpture project can tie those amounts to the number of books schoolchildren read.

The Clam-O-Rama will begin in October and run until March 15, 2007.

All children who participate will receive incentive prizes, and children who meet certain reading goals will be additionally honored.

Other fundraising plans include The Waterland Reading Invitational next April, which will be a benefit featuring a "Jeopardy"-style reading challenge. Van Baalen said volunteers working on the project also plan to apply for grants.

The Des Moines Friends of the Library already has allocated $500 out of its current budget to the Sculpture Project, and Des Moines Library Advisory Board member Simon Yang has donated an additional $500, to be dedicated to promoting the project.

"Instilling an aesthetic sense as well as providing knowledge through library services is important to the development of our minds and the future of our society," Yang said. "I'm honored to have the opportunity to contribute."

For more information, Sculpture Project brochure are available at the Des Moines Library or e-mail dmlibrarysculpture@nwlink.com.