Late Fee Turns Into $578,262 For Library

Folks at the North Bend Library recalled the late Raymond A. O’Daniell as a friendly retired man who stopped by often to read the newspapers and check out Western novels.

“We had no idea he planned to do this,” said librarian Sheila Wilma.

In his will, O’Daniell, 72, left the library $578,262, one of the largest bequests ever given to a library in Oregon.

Under the terms of his will, the money must be used for capital improvements to the library building, library furnishings, and equipment. It will be held in a city fund and used as needed.

O’Daniell worked as a commercial collection agency representative in Southern California before retiring to the southern Oregon coast with his wife, Joyce, about 10 years ago, said his trust officer, Helen Farrell of Western Bank.

Soon after moving to Oregon, Joyce O’Daniell died of cancer.

“He used to come in and get audio tapes for her to listen to when she had trouble sleeping at night,” Wilma recalled.

After O’Daniell’s death, an automatic overdue book notice was sent to his home.

“We couldn’t find the book anywhere, so I called and told them they were going to be mentioned in his will, and asked if they could simply forgive the loss,” Farrell said. “They graciously agreed.”