The Jacksonville Public Library System received a $32,721.76 check Thursday from the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation. The money was the first gift from the Foundation’s permanent endowment, an initiative that was started last year. That initiative is part of the Foundation’s ongoing capital campaign that sets aside 4 percent of the Foundation’s endowment fund for the Public Library System. Last year, the fund had approximately $800,000.
“This initial donation from the endowment represents a perpetual gift to the Public Library,” said Jeanne Ward, chair of the Foundation board. “The endowment provides an assurance that the programs and services provided by the Library System will be available into the future for all Jacksonville residents.”
On hand to receive the check were (from left): Maggie Hightower, director of development for the Foundation; Hamilton Cooke, Foundation board member; Ward; Rita Cannon, member of the Foundation’s board of trustees; Barbara Gubbin, executive director of the Library System; and Robert Main, treasurer of the Foundation board.