DANVILLE — Rich Darby, chief operating officer of TriGard Bronze, says a new donor recognition wall the company created in the lobby of the Danville Public Library is its most unique one to date.

“It’s our finest work of art so far,” he said.

The new three-dimensional relief donor wall features books on shelves differentiating the level of donors, or the “Guardians of Literacy.”

Library officials unveiled the donor wall last week at a “Guardians of Literacy” reception.

Library Foundation Executive Director Vickie Hicks said about 95 guests attended the unveiling. The wall honors individuals and companies who have made financial contributions of $100 or more to the foundation since 1990, such as through annual contributions.

This includes the almost two-year, $4 million capital campaign for the current library building at 319 N. Vermilion St. The new building opened in 1995.

Cumulative giving, annual giving and the Library Legacy League are included on the wall. Library Legacy League members make the library a beneficiary in their will, or estate.

Hicks said it was the foundation’s desire to say thank-you to all of its generous contributors in a fashion that shows the community’s support and would contribute to the artistic and cultural flavor of the library forever.

Contributions were made available to construct the donor wall in honor of Gus and Alice Busing and Doris and Forrest Fisher.

Darby said he was contacted about a year and a half ago by then foundation executive director Karla Gifford about working on a concept for a donor recognition wall.

“I wasn’t sure what they wanted,” he said.

He said he told them ‘whatever you want we can take it and run with it.’

That’s when he started meeting with committees to flush out ideas. Melody Ehrlich, served as donor recognition committee chairwoman.

“It was everybody working together,” Darby said.

TriGard fabricated the final design of bookshelves, book stacks and scroll listing the donors.

“We try and customize each of our jobs,” Darby said. “We love customization.”

The wall is all aluminum, with three-dimensional relief, where you can feel the book covers, stitching and columns. The company also used a patented UV inking technology to add color. Darby said TriGard is the only company in the world inking over 3-D relief.

He said the project was about a month’s work in design time, software engineering, cutting and finishing. The wall took two full days for installation.

Darby said as they were putting up the wall, people were stopping and looking at it in awe. He said that was the goal, in addition to encouraging more people to say ‘hey, I want my name on this’ and donate to the library.

TriGard also has fabricated a donor wall for the Ronald Reagan Ranch and has made pieces for veterans’ memorials.

Hicks said the Danville Library Foundation and the Danville Public Library appreciate all the volunteers and financial contributors that make the library a vital community asset.

Hicks added that in January, there will be another way families can donate to the library foundation in honor of a child’s or teenager’s birthday through the new Library Birthday Club.

“It’s just a way to get children involved,” she said.