Hello friends and Park Branch Library neighbors! This is Mary Abler of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library! I am guest-blogging today to let you know a little about the Park Branch Library Campaign and our efforts to furnish and equip the branch. As you know, the Park Branch Library is undergoing a much-needed renovation funded by bond money. Unfortunately, this money does not cover the costs for “impermanent” furniture, fixtures and equipment. (We could get into why, but that’s another story!)
The important thing to know is that Friends of the SFPL stepped up to the plate and agreed to fundraise for the $16M needed to furnish and equip the 24 branches that are being renovated and rebuilt. We do this on a number of levels, including the big foundation grants, etc. etc., but the bulk of our fundraising is done via the Neighborhood Library Campaign. This is essentially a grassroots campaign that has been conducted branch by branch, neighborhood by neighborhood.
I am joined in the Park Branch neighborhood by a group of fabulous, committed neighbors and library users, the Park Library Campaign Committee. We are working feverishly to fundraise a portion of the costs needed to furnish and equip the Park Branch Library and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Here are some ways you can pitch in for your branch…
Join the Committee
Our Committee meets monthly in the neighborhood to strategize and plan ways to get the word out and fundraise. We are out in the neighborhood letting people know about getting involved (catch us at the July 21st Farmer’s Market at Stanyan and Waller!) and we also plan end execute events. Contact me if you are interested in learning more!
Events
Get on our mailing list to be sure you know about all events benefitting the Park Library Campaign! At this time, we have just one event scheduled, but there will be many more!
Park Library Swim Event (clever name and exact details TBA) – Saturday, October 9, 2010
Join us for a swim event where you can swim laps for the library. Each participant will find sponsors and then see how many laps they can swim in a given amount of time. Fun and entertaining for all! Let me know if you want more information or would like to help with the planning of this event.
Make a Gift
Of course, the easiest way to be involved is to make a donation to the Park Library Campaign.
- Gifts of all sizes are tax-deductible and directly benefit the Park Branch.
- Gifts can be made as pledges and spread out over up to three years!
- For example, a gift of $1000 spread out monthly over three years works out to just $27.78. That’s less than your cell phone bill!
- All gifts will be recognized in a hand-calligraphied book to become part of the Park Branch Library collection. Donors of $1000+ will be recognized on a handsome donor plaque in the lobby of the renovated branch.
I hope that you will consider being involved in this amazing community effort for our library!
“Never trust a library under 100!”
Neighborhood Library Campaign Organizer
mary.abler@friendssfpl.org
(415) 626-7512 x107
