HISTORY OF WHERE THE MONEY HAS GONE

The Friends raise money to fund unbudgeted projects at the library, which come in all shapes and sizes. We have historically funded the Children’s Summer Reading Program, and in 2006 began underwriting the Teen Summer Reading Program. All sorts of equipment needs arise, from bar code scanners to shelving carts. Furniture needs have included wooden display cases that allow patrons to browse the CD collection, a reception desk for the library, a stage for the Community Rooms, more library tables for the second floor, and additional tables and chairs for the café in the library. When the new library was built we helped pay for the system to hang the rotating art exhibits, and necessary upgrades to the PA system in the Community Rooms. In 2008 and 2009 we funded the leasing charges for some data bases that are available to library patrons, as well as a large addition to the library’s CD collection of Grammy Award winners. In 2009 we began to help fund the monthly live music program at the library. In 2009-2010 we funded the Book Club in a Bag program, and contributed to the cost of establishing a downloadable audio book program. Each month we provide 500 copies of Book Pages, a newspaper which reviews the most current book titles, available to library patrons.

Sometimes we underwrite purchases of boring but necessary tools to make the library hum. For example, in 2010 we made it possible for the library to purchase software to schedule the many meeting rooms that are available to the public. We’ve provided funds for various types of furniture in the different parts of the library, for spine-label printers, for bar-code scanners…the list goes on.

In 2006 The Friends agreed to donate $25,000 to the Capital Campaign for the new library, which is now paid in full.  Because we contributed at this level, one of the two Community Rooms on the second floor is named the Friends of the Library Community Room.

The money comes from several sources.  Second-Hand Prose, our used bookstore is the largest contributor, followed by member dues, donations, and fund-raising projects like the Hill Country Authors Series and the Book Lovers’ Calendar Sales.  We also sell more valuable books online and in our Collector’s Corner.

FOL Donations To The Library

(Fiscal year October 1 through September 30)

*  Capital Campaign - Naming rights for Friends of the Library Community Room