by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
There is much more to the Jacksonville Public Library than borrowing books. Everything that comes in the door and then goes on the shelves or provides education or programs costs money.
Last year, the City Council reduced the library’s budget used to purchase new books, DVDs and audio materials by $1 million. That makes the efforts of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation (JPLF) even more important when it comes to providing a world-class library for Jacksonville’s citizens.
“Like everybody else, the library is having to adapt to the changing economy,” said Maggie Hightower, executive director of the foundation. “As government resources decline, critical resources like public libraries will depend even more on private support and donations.”
Hightower joined JPLF in December 2005 as director of development and took over as executive director last May.
One of the things Hightower did as executive director was convince the foundation’s board to make some changes in the format of the annual “Much Ado About Books” celebration and “Ex Libris Gala” fundraising events. They were held in conjunction with each other at the Main Library’s Conference center this year after being previously separate events held in the Osborn Center.
“We felt the Conference Center would be the perfect location since it’s here at the Main Library and the response from guests was tremendous,” said Hightower, who pointed out the events combined raised $100,000 this year. “We were very pleased considering the economy, and many of the people who attended told us it was the first time they had visited the Main Library since it opened.”
Before each fiscal year begins, library administrators present the foundation with a “wish list,” Hightower said. Potential new programs are outlined in detail down to the projected budget required to implement them. Last year’s list included 18 initiatives, some of which will be funded by the proceeds from the gala, which are considered “unrestricted funds” and are disbursed to the Public Library to use as the board of trustees and administration see fit.
One such program that began this fiscal year is the Teen Parent Literacy Project at A. Philip Randolph Academy. The project provides books, interactive materials and even toys that give teen parents the resources they need to give their children the tools they need for reading and success in life. It also educates young parents on the importance of reading and selecting age appropriate materials that lead parents to read to their children.
The budget for the program is just $2,300 per year, said Hightower, which puts it on the low range of the “wish list.”
Other potential programs the JPLF is seeking to fund through donations, gifts and endowments include providing an inventory of laptop computers that library card holders could check out and use in the library in conjunction with the wireless Internet service that’s available at the Main Library and neighborhood branches. The plan would cost $89,500 and is considered a needed program since computer use is constantly increasing and the Public Library is limited in the number of conventional PCs that can be provided.
Purchasing more large print books is also on the list. A $46,000 project would enable more of the books to be added to the library’s collection of materials. It’s a need based on Jacksonville’s growing population of “Baby Boomers.”
Hightower said the task set out for the JPLF is to “fund programs that go above and beyond taxpayer support. It can be a challenge now to find the funds for the projects. Many people are deciding to offer their philanthropic resources to organizations that provide people in need with basic services like food, clothing and shelter.
“Part of our job is to let potential donors know that the library also provides critical resources like the Main Library’s Adult Learning Center. That’s where people can learn how to use a computer to improve their job skills or learn English as a second language. We are able to provide those services free of charge largely through gifts and donations.”
Founded in 1986, the JPLF has provided many of what Hightower called, “enhancements” over the years including during construction of the Main Library. The fountain in the courtyard, lighting fixtures and the public art in the Grand Reading Room are a few examples. The foundation has only three staff members including Hightower and a 15-member board of directors chaired by Betsy Lovett. The City provides office space in the Main Library including telephone and Internet services for $1 per year.
“That way donors can know that the gifts they give the foundation go directly to providing library services, not for covering expenses,” said Hightower.
Endowments totaling $3.5 million fund the maintenance of the enhancements and a capital campaign is currently underway to create an endowment to provide long-term funding for programs like the Teen Parent Literacy Project.
“If anybody out there has a spare $1 million, I promise we could put it to good use,” said Hightower.
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