Mike asks a lot of hard and appropriate questions about the state of the Mpls Public Library's fundraising operations.
As he points out, we raised $140 million for capital improvements through the 2000 referendum, and we are working very hard to raise an additional $20 million from the State in bonding money for the planetarium. These are huge accomplishments for the system -- and wonderful gifts from the public. Based on the amount we have raised over the past two years, I think it is accurate to say that the Library is one of if not the most successful fundraising operations in the state, at least outside of higher education. What we have not done an equally good job of -- and this is the crux of Mike's message -- is raising additional dollars from private sources for operating purposes. In a typical year, I believe the Library raises about $800,000 in grants, and The Friends raise another $200,000 from foundations, corporations and individuals. (We also provide about $600,000 in services to the library in the form of volunteers, free programs, staff for the planetarium, etc.) Extremely valuable contributions, but certainly not maxing out our potential. As a result, the Library and Friends are working together to expand our fundraising capacity. This includes rejuveniating our planned giving program, bringing new leadership onto the Friends' Board and Advisory Committee, and building our ties to local corporate and civic leaders. It is not going to happen over night, but it needs to happen soon. I doubt anyone at the Friends or in the Library disagrees with Mike's basic assessment that we need to be better fundraisers. However, this same issue came up on the list a couple of months ago, and I said the same thing then: Better fundraising will help support the library in many, many ways, but it will NOT replace the need for a strong public commitment to our libraries. Most private dollars raised will go to special library initiatives (like Homework Helper, the Summer Reading Program, or the Franklin Learning Center) rather than for basic operations. Like schools, hospitals or roads, libraries are vital public resources that need and should receive significant public support. A major fundraising operation would augment, not replace, that. There are very few, if any, libraries in American that receive more than 5% of their operating dollars from private sources. If our collective goal is to make reading a part of every child's life, and to provide every adult with free access to books, computers and knowledge, it is only going to happen with public dollars leading the way. Colin Hamilton Executive Director Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library 612/630-6172 612/630-6180 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
