For Immediate Release

January 25, 2011

The Colonel Samuel L. Slover Memorial Library To Be Expanded

Generous Gift to make Community’s Vision a Reality

Norfolk VA - The City of Norfolk announced today that the results of the community outreach and input are in for the new Colonel Samuel L. Slover Memorial Library and call for an expansion of the previously contemplated plan.

The expansion calls for a 30% increase in size but only 20% increase in cost which is estimated to total $60 million for the total project.

The Slover Library Steering Committee has provided leadership and guidance as the library’s planning and design phases have been completed. As chairman of the Slover Library Steering Committee, Mrs. Jane P. Batten has played an integral role throughout these processes. Her strong leadership and commitment to the project has acted to assure a high level of engagement and creativity among all the partners involved.

“It is my pleasure to announce that in response to the outpouring of community support and the vision that is being created in adherence to Mr. Batten’s wishes, Mrs. Batten has generously increased the Batten gift by an additional $20 million, in the form of a “challenge grant”, meaning the Batten Foundation gift can reach a total of $40 million, making the expansion a reality,” stated Mayor Fraim.

Under the terms of this Challenge Grant, the Batten Foundation’s full match will be achieved, provided that a minimum of $4 million of additional contributions and pledges are realized from private entities or individuals to the Slover Library Foundation. Mayor Fraim said, “Given the very generous terms of this challenge, we are confident that the Foundation will not only meet, but exceed this requirement.”

Mayor Fraim went on to say, “This will be a most treasured destination where everyone is welcomed and all are served. As a result of Mr. and Mrs. Batten’s shared vision all of the citizens of the City of Norfolk, indeed all of the residents of the Hampton Roads region, will have a brighter future.”

A fundraising committee is now in the process of being formed to facilitate contributions to the Slover Library. Signature Financial Management is receiving gifts on behalf of the Slover Library Foundation.

In 2008, the City of Norfolk announced a gift from Mr. Batten which allowed the Slover Library to come into being by placing the city in the position to advance a new central library by more than a decade. At that time, the Mayor stated that he and many in Norfolk agreed that the new library to be the most important public facility we can provide for nurturing and stimulating learning and civic interaction on all levels. The city’s contribution was identified as $20 million.

###

Revised January 24, 2011

About Colonel Samuel L. Slover

It is the intention of the Batten Foundation for “the memory of Colonel Samuel L. Slover” be preserved perpetually in recognition of his contribution to development of the City of Norfolk.

Colonel Slover was the uncle of Frank Batten Sr., and raised him from the age of one after his father died. Colonel Slover was the founder of Landmark Communications and a former Mayor of Norfolk. Colonel Slover loved Norfolk, and he believed that an informed citizenry is one of the most important keys to its success. In 1954 at the age of 27, Batten assumed the leadership of the Virginian Pilot and the Ledger Star. With strategic acquisitions and key investments, Batten developed Landmark Communications into one of the nation’s largest and most influential media companies.

The community vision for the new library includes a top priority placed on learning for all ages, allowing programmable space for children, teens and families; a first-rate destination; innovation in enlivened areas and technological offerings and a center of the city’s history.