Suburban Library Seeking Incredible Hulk Statue

NORTHLAKE, Ill. (CBS) -- The Northlake Public Library has launched an Internet "crowdfunding" effort to get what might be considered an unusual statue for a library.

WBBM Newsradio's Mike Krauser reports library staffers recorded a video pitch on the website Indiegogo, asking visitors to help "Bring the Hulk to the Northlake Public Library."

They want fans of the Marvel Comics character "The Incredible Hulk" to help them pay for a 9-foot-tall statue of the raging green monstrosity.

"We need your help to change our reputation, with a fun, out-of-the-box project," a staffer says in the pitch. "A lot of people still view libraries as a quiet, serious place to get books; when in actuality today's libraries are more like community centers with awesome reading programs, do-it-yourself workshops, and cutting-edge technology."

Staffers said they believe the Hulk statue would help bring more young patrons into the library.

In addition to the Hulk statue, the library wants a digital creation lab for video editing and graphic design, as well as more graphic novels for its collection.

The fundraising goal is $30,000 and the library is offering various incentives for donations, including a get-out-of-fines card, a comic-themed library card, a package of comics, and more.

Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije has lent his voice to the campaign.

"I think it's important that every library have a comic book presence, because my introduction to reading was comics," he said.

As of Tuesday morning, the library had raised nearly $2,000, with 27 days left to contribute.