More and more public libraries across the country are creating foundations that focus on fundraising and library advocacy within the private sector. The Library Foundation of Los Angeles was founded in 1992 to encourage private support through memberships, corporate sponsorships, gifts, trusts, and bequests for the benefit of the Los Angeles Public Library.

The Foundation has raised more than $70 million dollars to help support the Central Library and its 71 neighborhood branches with everything from new books and materials to capital improvements, reading enrichment programs, technology, cultural events, and exhibitions. The Foundation’s website says that "the Foundation is a major advocate for the library, working to promote greater awareness of its many valuable services."

The Los Angeles Library Foundation identifies specific focus areas for giving each year, including Programs and Services for Youth, New Technologies, Cultural and Literacy Programs for Adults, and Adult Literacy.  The Foundation attracts individual, corporate and foundation donors.  Recent accomplishments include:

• Launch of Young Literati, a new support group for 21-45 year-olds.
• Funding of Student Smart, the library’s first citywide program designed to help teens prepare for college.
• Opening of the Annenberg Gallery at the Central Library as a permanent showcase for the library’s impressive collections.
• Literary Odyssey Dinners, 51 privately hosted dinners to benefit library reading enrichment programs for children and teens.
• Camp LAPL, an annual summer program for children living in downtown shelters.

The Foundation makes a clear distinction between its support and the support provided by the city: "The Los Angeles Public Library’s basic services – staff, building and equipment, maintenance and core collections – are provided by city funding.  What is often not covered are those programs, resources and activities that help make the library more than a ‘building with books.’  Contributions  to the Library Foundation help the Library create innovative new opportunities for learning and growth, and remain at the national forefront of public library service."

To visit the Library Foundation of Los Angeles website, click here.

Westmoreland, PA
Community Foundation of Westmoreland County (PA) Supports New Teen Read Scene

The Vandergrift Public Library in Vandergrift, PA, has been in existence for 105 years.  For most of this time there have been distinct spaces and collections in the library for adults and for young children.  These groups know where to go in the library; they know they can expect to find specific kinds of items; they feel at home.

Charlene Hoffer, a library staff member, attended a Libraries for the Future   EqualAccess Institute in 2004, where she opted to focus her training on Youth Access, a framework for youth services.  She came back to the library determined to create a library space for youth.  Working with a student, Hoffer created a concept and plan for a Teen Library and then sent a proposal to the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, which provided the funds to purchase the furnishings and wall posters.

When the Teen Read Scene opened in March 2006, seven local businesses donated food and materials for the event.  The event was highly publicized, through newspapers, flyers, and school announcements.  For the many teens that attended, it was a revelation to see food and music in the library.  The library director reports that the teens were  “so into the event that they asked when the next one would be held.  The mix of teens included skaters, avid readers, and musicians.

The library has submitted a grant proposal to Allegheny Technologies, Inc., for purchasing teen non-fiction and additional program supplies.

San Antonio, TX
$1 M Grant from AT&T Enhances
San Antonio Library

In September 2006, the AT&T Foundation and San Antonio Public Library kicked off a Library Card Sign-Up Campaign, with help from the legendary Curious George, Froggy and Libro the Library Lion. 

The San Antonio Public Library benefited from a $1M grant from the AT&T Foundation.

The local campaign is supported by part of a 10-year, $1 million grant from the AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., and is aimed at encouraging local elementary school children to visit their local library, check out books and use their library card regularly.

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, dedicated to promoting library card enrololment and use. The San Antonio Public Library targeted second-graders through the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) to help students with schoolwork and to raise literacy rates.

State Representative Joe Straus, a strong library supporter, noted that "early education programs such as this are essential to opening young minds to a world of opportunity." Laura Sanford, president of the AT&T Foundation, said that "books are one of the most valuable tools a child can use during their development," and thanked Rep. Straus and Mayor Hardberger “for truly understanding the importance of that sentiment and for working tirelessly to ensure that our communities have the resources that children need in order to thrive. We are glad to show our continued support to the San Antonio Public Library through this grant."

 

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