2008 is a very special year for the City of Fontana. So far the community has been awarded twice for its commitment to families; opened its’ doors to the Heritage neighborhood center and Center Stage Theater; and, welcomed 10,000 visitors to the grand opening of the Lewis Library and Technology Center.

In June, the community came together again for the official dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Library.

Obviously the goals for the Library were to provide all citizens with access to quality educational resources including modern technology, outreach programs, as well as books. Additionally, as is evident in the design of the building, visitors needed to be inspired to be creative as well as community-oriented. The result was the inclusion of interactive art, green technology using windows for lighting and aluminum lattice that creates prisms and an illusion of rainbows that add color to the Great Hall throughout the day. Most importantly, there are dedicated areas for children where studying and imagination can be expressed and shared with others.

Fundraising Efforts

From the very beginning, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Library had to be as unique as its’ name and the library itself. In order to provide the resources that the City Council and San Bernardino County Library saw to be essential enhancements to any children’s section, roughly $1 million had to be raised. A fundraiser was the answer, and as the founder of the Healthy Fontana program and a health and wellness proponent, Mayor Pro Tem Warren suggested a golf tournament.

She called upon her good friend and former NFL all-pro running back Greg Bell to help her create an annual fundraising event that could be enjoyed by everyone and would make a significant impact on the fundraising goals.

Through the determination and fundraising efforts of Bell, then Fontana Police Department Captain Rodney Jones, Mayor Mark Nuaimi and the City Council, $277,000 was raised at the First MLK Golf Classic in June, 2007. Sponsors included Fifth District San Bernardino County Supervisor, Josie Gonzales, Mr. Reggie King, Cole Burr of Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., Mark Bertone of Madole and Associates, Second District San Bernardino County Supervisor, Paul Biane, Mark Wims of Fontana Nissan, Josh LaBarge of QMC and others.

In 2008, the second annual MLK Golf Classic was underway and the team of dedicated fundraisers were raising even more money. The icing on the cake, or as they may say in Healthy Fontana, the hummus on the celery stick, was that only a few days later the dedication ceremony was celebrated with the public.

The Dedication Ceremony

The dedication ceremony on June 21 offered the public an opportunity to see and hear some poignant ideas that are truly relevant today and raise awareness of the impact Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made upon the lives of millions.

The ceremony included a Dr. King orator, David Anthony Johnson, who gave a moving rendition of “I Have a Dream,” remarks from Assembly members Bill Emmerson, Wilmer Amina Carter, and County Supervisor Josie Gonzales.

The unveiling of the “Column of Knowledge” statue followed. The work was commissioned by Carmel sculptor, Steven Whyte. Known for his over-life size public monuments, Whyte is recognized for ten busts to include one of Bob Hope.

The Fontana Police Department Explorers Color Guard Team presented the colors with Trooper Bobby McDonald of the Buffalo Soldiers. The Buffalo Soldiers are an African American unit in the United States Army that date back to the civil war era and remained as an active unit until the Korean War. They are the only group to ever be recognized by Congress. The ceremonial salute to the flag moved many who recognized that before them was a living history of the battles fought and won, lives taken, and spirits lifted by this and other segregated regiments throughout American History.

The audience was invited to recite and sign the Pledge of Nonviolence. The pledge is available through the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and is a commitment from the signee to live a life dedicated to living and promoting nonviolence and equality. Those still interested in signing the pledge may visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Library.

Following the unveiling ceremony, the public was invited back to the Steelworkers’ Auditorium (a 330-seat auditorium contained within the Lewis Library and Technology Center) for a special performance about Black History from Ina Buckner-Barnette, the Sunshine Storyteller.

Barnette is known for inviting audiences to participate in her special interactive stories based on international folktales, movement activities, music and more. An actress/hostess/producer, she was the second Emmy-award winning performer in the new auditorium. The first performance was given by Emmy award winner, Paula Poundstone, in April. Buckner-Barnette was awarded with the Emmy for Dollars and $ense: Personal Finance, a PBS series.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Library welcomes the public no matter one’s age, national origin, native tongue, or religion during regular library hours on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 am to 9 pm, Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm.

The library is located in the heart of the downtown civic center at 8437 Sierra Avenue. To find out more about the library or children’s programming, please visit www.sbcounty.gov/library/home. To read more about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or to read the “I Have a Dream” speech, please visit www.mlkonline.net. To read about the highly successful summer programming at the library, please read Reading, Performances, and Interactive Fun at Lewis Library & Technology Center also in this issue of the Community Connection newsletter.