Library launches endowment campaign to ensure future

Jim Morrison

Friday, July 12, 2013

The Franklin County Library Foundation has launched a campaign to raise funds for an endowment to help provide continued growth and long-term stability for the county’s library system.

As part of a public-private partnership with the county-funded library system, the foundation has established a charitable endowment whose future earnings are expected to provide funds for projects, materials and initiatives that will be important to a vibrant library system but which lie outside the library’s budget.

Endowment earnings also could be used for additional community outreach programs; literacy and library-use campaigns; speakers and enrichment events; and technology initiatives .

“We are fortunate in Franklin County to have a forward-looking library system,” said Bonnie Johnson, chairwoman of the foundation’s board of directors. “Many communities across the country have severely curtailed or even closed their libraries. The citizens in our county have been able to avoid these sorts of library cutbacks — and library usage shows just how popular our library system is, both at the Main Library in Rocky Mount and at the Westlake Library branch.”

A brochure with more information is available at both county libraries. Donations in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Franklin County Library Foundation can be mailed to the foundation at P.O. Box 717, Hardy, VA 24101. Donations may be made in one lump sum or spread over years, made in memory or honor of someone or made as part of an estate bequest.

Major donors ($500 or more) will be recognized at the Main Library with a brick in the sidewalk near the parking lot doorway, or on a wall plaque inside the library for donations of $1,000 or more. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and donations are tax-deductible .

For more information, contact Johnson at 721-6475, Beth Garst at 334-3831 or Stan Smith at 721-2599.

Monday, August 12, 2013