The Butler Public Library deserves abundant praise for the energy and determination that produced its highly successful Second Century Society campaign and established the foundation for a renewal of the campaign in the fall.

According to Lisa Konesni, vice president of the library's board of directors, the initial campaign, which began last August and exceeded the $100,000 goal in December, raised a total of $105,209.

Ginny Besterman, the library's public relations director, said some money already has been contributed toward the next campaign.

With 240 people having contributed $100 or more to become members of the first-year Second Century Society, the challenge for the library this year and beyond will be to retain and build upon that healthy base.

The good thing about the society campaign is that it will not only help the library meet expenses, but also enable the library to organize new programs.

Making available new programs builds interest in - and loyalty to - the library and could be a way to attract additional volunteers and future contributors. With the Internet competing for people's time, it is important for the library to make people want to patronize it, because of the array of things it has to offer.

As the Second Century Society grows, the library's ingredients for remaining a community magnet are certain to multiply.