Teacher leaves a legacy to the library

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Pendleton Public Library will host a ribbon cutting for its new children’s area at 10 a.m. Friday. The new space is the result of Sunridge Middle School teacher and administrator Gayle E. Blek bequeathing a third of her estate to Pendleton Friends of the Library.

Library Director Jennifer Costley said that PFOL has worked closely with the library to identify the financial needs that will honor Blek’s passion for education, the library and technology. The first course of action was to expand the library’s current programming space.

“Pendleton’s citizens have a strong history of supporting the library through financial gifts to PFOL such as Gayle’s,” Costley said. “We are extremely fortunate to have community members who recognize the value of libraries and ensure our success through this type of giving.”

The ribbon cutting and room dedication will coincide with PFOL’s Spring Book Sale. It will be held in the new programming space from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.