Beloit Public Library’s Capital Campaign Reaches More Than 60% of $4.15 Million Goal
Beloit Public Library Foundation is thrilled to announce that Discovery PLAYce, an early childhood learning space set to open in 2026 at Beloit Public Library, has received a transformative $1 million grant from the Hendricks Family Foundation. Structured to support both ca
pital and operating expenses, the gift pledges the final $500,000 for the exhibits as a challenge to raise the funding needed for the space. The investment also provides $100,000 per year over 5 years to ensure funds are available for programming.
This investment propels the capital campaign past the 60% mark toward its overall goal of $4.15 million. Within a few months, the campaign has raised $2.675 toward its overall goal of $4.15 million for Learning Play Station exhibits designed by award-winning Luci Creative, evaluation of specific learning milestones by Belmark Associates, and five years of operations.
“With this extraordinary gift from the Hendricks Family Foundation, Discovery PLAYce is one major step closer to becoming reality,” said Nick Dimassis, Beloit Public Library Director. “This space will help us bring the entire community together to address one of Beloit’s most pressing challenges—early learning and school readiness—by providing families with free, hands-on experiences that connect play with brain development.”
This gift will be recognized in the Cityscape Book Nook Learning Play Station, as well as on the Discovery PLAYce donor recognition wall.
Discovery PLAYce will transform the library’s children’s area into a 6,000-square-foot interactive learning lab designed for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers. Discovery PLAYce will feature immersive Learning Play Stations inspired by Beloit’s landscape, a robust picture book collection, and resources to strengthen caregiver confidence.
“This gift is a reflection of our longstanding partnership with the Beloit Public Library, our commitment to our community and our belief in the importance of education as the most promising path to helping our children achieve their full potential,” said Diane Hendricks, President of the Hendricks Family Foundation. “We hope our gift encourages others to give, providing children and families in Beloit this free, fun, hands-on early learning resource.”
This gift marks a major milestone in the library’s quiet phase of fundraising, positioning the project strongly as it begins to launch its public campaign. The campaign is specifically designed to involve community members from every area of Beloit, beginning with 100 Extraordinary WomenTM. Construction on Discovery PLAYce exhibits is set to begin in Spring 2026 and be completed by Fall 2026.
For more information on Discovery PLAYce and ways to support the project, visit www.beloitlibrary.org.
