The Knoxville Public Library has received enough money to purchase the Dixie Gebhart house for their expansion project. That announcement was made to a crowd of nearly 50 people yesterday morning on the lawn of the library. A donation by Don and Margaret Long of $100,000 was the final step in making the purchase possible. Library Board President Dave Garcia, Library Director Roslin Thompson, and Library Building Committee Chair Pennie Sommar all talked about the future of the building project during the presentation and thanked the Longs, the Marion County Community Foundation, the Knoxville Heritage Foundation, and everyone one else who had donated to the project. The purchase price of the home was $132,500.

The Longs are long-time supporters of the Library, according to Garcia. They tell KNIA/KRLS News that they continue to support the library in order to better the community. Margaret says that she especially enjoys seeing it full of children and young adults. She adds that the summer programs are fantastic events and she wants to see that continue. Both Don and Margaret also discussed the historical significance of the Dixie Gebhart home and how they wanted to see that preserved for future generations for the good of the city of Knoxville and the State of Iowa. Dixie Gebhart created the design for the state flag of Iowa.

Pictured above are Don and Margaret Long, Library Board President Dave Garcia, and Library Building Committee Chair Pennie Sommar