Don Grosdidier is ready to inspire about 50 Eudora residents Monday at the first meeting of the capital campaign steering committee for the Eudora Public Library. Eudora Public Library Director Carol Wohford said the meeting would be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the old library at West Elementary School, 801 E. 10th St.

It was announced last month Grosdidier, the former superintendent of Eudora schools, would chair a capital campaign for a new Eudora Public Library. The plan is to build a 10,000- to 12,000-square-foot new library across Ninth Street, south of the 40-year-old, 4,000-square-foot existing library.

Grosdidier said the steering committee will seek donations from individuals and businesses in the community and grants from organizations with track records of helping such causes. Although 50 might seem a large membership for most committees, it is an appropriate number for the task ahead of the group.

“It basically will be a committee of individuals who will solicit donations at different levels,” he said. “Committee members will be asked to name people who might be possible donors.”

His and the library’s goal was to have the committee represented by a broad spectrum of community leaders, Grosdidier said. The broad community representation is meant to ensure all those who can donate are approached, and to help build support for the project.

“The capital campaign serves two purposes,” Grosdidier said. “One is to raise money but also awareness, so if we do have to go to a bond issue they understand the need and how it will serve the community. In this day and age, you have to think about technology. I don’t want to dismiss the importance of books, but we also have the need for a 21st century facility that provides good wireless internet access in the community. There’s not a lot of good Wi-Fi access in Eudora. The school district just started a 1-to-1 computer program in the high school. When those students leave campus, if they don’t have access at home, they have a hard time finding safe and secure access (in the) community.”

Grosdidier said he has had a lot of positive feedback since it was announced he would chair the capital campaign, and he has been able to fill the steering committee with some of those who have approached him. He added that he hasn’t heard from anyone who thinks the new library is not needed.

The Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce will have its annual awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Stony Point Hall, 1514 North 600 Road. Chamber Director Jeanette Blackmar said the deadline to register for the banquet is Wednesday. Tickets are $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers. Table sponsorships of $200 and $300 are also available.

This year’s Chamber awards categories and their nominees are:

• Business of the Year — RG Fiber, Mid-American Bank and Baldwin State Bank

• Community Service — Jane Akob, Sandy Cardens, Becki Dick, Steve Friend and Barbara Pressgrove

• Horizon Award — Dance Cafe and Homestead Kitchen and Bakery

• Partnership Award — Baker University

• Outstanding City Employee — Laura Hartman and Rob Culley

• Excellence in Education — Will Cooper, Loretta Verhaeghe, Patty Flory-Evans, Rachel Smith, Ginny Honomichl, Cassy Bailey, Chris Todden, Davy Phillips, Nate Houser and Kevin McCarthy.

The Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce’s February meeting will be from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Lumberyard Arts Center, 718 High St. Bryan Rice of Rice Precision Manufacturing will speak on building his business. The cost of the meal Maceli’s will cater is $7.