City hall
McKinney library seeks sponsors for pricey traveling exhibits
The library's exhibits coordinator pitched corporate sponsors for exhibits costing up to $143,000, and the board cut meetings to bimonthly.
The McKinney Public Library wants corporate sponsors to help pay for traveling exhibits, one estimated at more than $140,000. The library’s new exhibits coordinator, Adam Whittredge, laid out the plan to the city’s Library Advisory Board on August 20.
The exhibits are free to visit. The library said its first traveling exhibit drew more than 35,000 visitors. Whittredge’s pitch, titled “Cultivating Community & Brand Impact: Sponsoring Nationally Traveling Exhibits at the McKinney Public Library,” said sponsors would get logo recognition on exhibit signage, mentions in print and digital ads, and invitations to opening events.
Whittredge presented a roadmap of exhibits for 2026 through 2028, with plans for three new traveling exhibits each year. Estimated costs on his slides ranged widely. A Johnson Space Center display was listed as free, with shipping estimated at about $6,000. An exhibit called “Survival of the Slowest” was listed at $143,000 plus shipping. A Rube Goldberg exhibit was listed at $50,000, and a Mister Rogers and Daniel Tiger exhibit at $85,000.
The new exhibit space ties to the reimagined Roy & Helen Hall Library. The slides said it would open in December 2026 with a dedicated exhibit hall and a community planetarium.
Separately, the board voted 6-1 to meet every other month instead of monthly, starting in October 2026. Board member Larry Pereira voted no. The change means fewer regular chances for the public to hear from and address the board.
No members of the public attended the August 20 meeting, according to the minutes.
The board’s September 17 agenda lists approving the August 20 minutes and hearing a director’s report, per the Library Advisory Board agenda.
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