Friends of the Library Endowment Fund
We are working to make our library a fine library and an outstanding community resource for everyone.
Today, the library’s collection exceeds 85,000 items. On-line computers and state-of-the-art teleconferencing equipment access the world. Armchair travelers and Great Decisions discussion groups meet to exchange views. The children and young adults have a library and librarians all to themselves.
It's positive growth in the best possible way, but how are the costs sustained? Through County funding and by year-to-year fund raising by Friends of the Library through membership drives, book sales and planned events.
Individual grants from the DeWitt Wallace-Readers Digest Fund, the PGA TOUR, special Friends, and others, are big factors as well.
Ideally, the money raised every year in this manner should be marked for the material things The Friends provide the young adult reference library, children's educational software, computers and printers, CD-ROM and on-line databases, cultural events, books on tape and the teleconferencing equipment. But the attendant cost of providing and supporting these resources increases in kind. The next step?
Friends of the Library Endowment Fund.
Now, that our library's expansion has become a reality, it's time for The Friends to establish a continuity of investment, to ensure the growth and the many programs we support.
Friends of the Library Endowment Fund will do precisely that through the formation of a separate, secure capital base. Income generated by the Fund will be used solely to underwrite the tangible things we feel we do best...
SPEAKER SERIES
YOUNG ADULT REFERENCE LIBRARY
GREAT DECISIONS DISCUSSION GROUP
CHILDREN'S READING PROGRAMS
CD-ROM AND ON-LINE COMPUTING SUPPORT
MAJOR AUTHOR SERIES
MUSIC SERIES
The list of current library services and programs The Friends provide is long. It is ambitious, and it is growing.
The goal? To make our library a fine library. It should be an outstanding community resource for everyone.
With the new building expansion, strong community support, and this Endowment Fund, it will happen!
There are a number of ways benefactors can contribute to the Endowment Fund. Your legal advisor can help you plan a direct gift, or one that is part of your long-range financial plan. Regardless of the form of giving, or the amount, please know every gift counts.
The Board of Directors for The Friends will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Endowment Fund, including soliciting contributions, investment of monies, appropriation, expenditure, accounting and reporting.
No appropriation or distribution of the principal can be made without specific approval by the Executive Committee of the Friends.
DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS
SECURITIES
OTHER NON-CASH ASSETS
BEQUESTS
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS
The library's future growth rests on long-term support from our friends and from the local corporate community.
This is only the beginning. We are inviting other corporations, organizations and individuals to step forward as well. Direct and matching-fund support is key to our ambitious financial goal.
The Ponte Vedra Beach Branch of the St. Johns County Public Library System is a remarkable place, with a remarkable story.
It began in the early 1980's, in the Palm Valley Community Center. The books came from donors; volunteers made up the staff.
Soon the library moved, this time to the St. Johns County Annex. One room, one librarian, one desk and a small collection of books.
It was intended to be a temporary move. Funds for a new library had been approved, but time passed, with plans placed on hold.
In 1989, Friends of the Library went to work, spurring County officials to get this new building off the drawing board.
An ingenious land swap meant a more spacious site. Events were held. Donations were raised. Two hundred and fifty library supporters formed a caravan to St. Augustine, securing $350,000 to purchase new books.
Spring of 1993 saw the dedication of a new 10,000 square foot St. Johns County Library at Ponte Vedra Beach.
The County built the building. The Friends helped bring it to life.
In August 2002, the library re-opened following completion of significant renovations. The renovations increased the library to 24,800 square feet at a total cost of $2.1 million. The Friends contributed $328,000 in financial support for the project including $258,000 for construction of the new 2,000 square foot Friends of the Library Community Room, and the PGA TOUR Multi-Media Room, as well as an additional $70,000 for audio/visual equipment and 11 laptop computers for the Multi-Media Room.
We encourage other groups to join us in programs on literacy, book and music appreciation, continuing education and the arts.
We continue to welcome the leadership, imagination and resourceful enthusiasm found in our community and among our many friends.
For additional information, please contact:
Chairman, Endowment Fund
contact@friendspvlibrary.org
Friends of the Library
P.O. Box 744
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004
(904) 273-3990
Checks may be made payable to:
Friends of the Library Endowment Fund
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
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