Former water company owner Harrison Gibbs wants to help expand reference books at the Ripon Library.

Gibbs spends an inordinate amount of time in the library on West Main Street and became concerned when he repeatedly noticed  students filling the tables and making use of what few computers were available.  It was obvious too many weren’t getting to use the computers and the reference shelves weren’t an adequate resource, he felt.

The students were busy with their projects and definitely were not wasting their time socializing and making noise, he quipped.

So Gibbs announced at a recent Rotary Club meeting at the Barnwood Restaurant that he would match any donation that anyone in the club would make to purchase more reference materials up to $1,000. 

The club board of directors voted Friday noon to give the library $500, but Gibbs insists that much more is needed to make a difference for the students who lack computers in their classrooms wanting to take advantage of Google for their homework needs.

Another favorite at the library that Gibbs promotes to his friends is the movie night right after the closing of the building around 6 p.m.  It’s free and it offers showing of “fantastic films you may have missed.”  The showing of “Rushmore” for the movie club is set for tonight, complete with popcorn and water for those enjoying the show.