LaVerne Taylor was an only child that grew up loving the library and getting lost in a book whenever she could.   She was embraced by the staff at the Belle Isle Library who anticipated her reading preferences and set books aside each Wednesday for her weekly visit.  

A long time supporter and donor, Mrs. Taylor first began thinking about a gift she could leave to support the Belle Isle Library directly—she later realized her gift could continue to benefit and support the library for generations to come by donating to the Library Endowment Trust.

Preceded in death by her husband, Gordon (a Vice President for OG&E), LaVerne passed away in February 2012.  Her dream to leave a legacy for the Belle Isle Library will long be remembered by those that frequent the library as her gift to the Library Endowment Trust is the largest gift the library system has received in its history.  While the entire donation has not yet been received, the initial figures are that the Library Endowment Trust will receive approximately $1.4 million from Mrs. Taylor’s estate.

The Belle Isle library is scheduled for renovation beginning in late 2014.  We plan to ask the Library Commission to honor the generosity of Gordon and LaVerne Taylor.   The staff will recommend naming an area appropriate to the generosity of this gift.