Over the past few years, donations from the Gateway Tavern Charity Golf Tournament have turned the library at the high school into Wareham High School Library Media Center.

"It used to be just a quiet space -- now it's the hub of Wareham High School," said Judi DeBonise, the librarian at the school.

On Friday, Gateway Tavern owner Joe Sauro presented DeBonise and Assistant Principal Debbie Freitas with a check for $9,000, bringing the total money donated to the library from the annual tournament to $36,750.

The money has helped create a 25-seat presentation space equipped with an overhead projector as well as a Portfolio Center to help each and every student create a portfolio upon leaving school. It's been used to update furniture, technology, and other learning materials, as well.

"And we were able to create a smaller study area for kids who need quiet space," said Freitas.

As for the newest donation, DeBonise, who has also worked at the Gateway Tavern since 2001, said it will be used to purchase both reference and print materials for the library.

"We have fun doing it, which makes it even better," said Sauro of the yearly golf tournament. Each October, local businesses and individuals donate to and take part in annual tourney, with proceeds from the past several years being donated to the library.

"We're really fortunate to have the Gateway coordinate this effort," said Freitas, "and if it wasn't for the community support, this wouldn't be possible."

Sauro said that DeBonise and JoAnn Salamone, who substitutes at the high school and who also works at the Gateway, were a huge help in organizing the tournament.

"I couldn't do it all by myself," he said. "If it wasn't for them, this wouldn't be so successful. Hopefully it continues to grow every year."