Kathy, Absolutely. That's one reason that we haven't asked our local people. In my mind, though, it'd be appropriate for fundraising body that supports a consortium to approach/engage businesses, organizations and community philanthropists rather than library patrons (although these groups are obviously not mutually exclusive).
On Mon, Feb 2, 2015 at 10:34 AM, Kathy Lussier <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Ruth, > > I think there might be a couple of reasons for this. For the public, the > primary relationship is with the library, not with the consortium. I think > potential donors are more likely to give to the organization with which > they have the closer relationship. When giving to the library, the public > can clearly see the impact of their donations in the form of new materials, > additional programming, etc. I don't think the impact is as clearly visible > for a donation to the consortium. Overall, I have found the public sees a > lot of value in the ability to get materials from all over the consortium, > so highlighting that benefit would be a good approach. > > Also, the libraries themselves have their own friends groups that are > seeking funds. There may be a concern that a similar fundraising effort at > the consortium level would interfere with those fundraising efforts. > > These aren't challenges that are insurmountable, but just some things you > might want to take into consideration. > > Good luck! > > Kathy > > > On 02/02/2015 10:09 AM, Ruth Frasur wrote: > > Jason, > > I'm a little surprised that, especially with a 501c3 designation, there > isn't some type of fundraising. I'll think about that perspective as well. > > On Mon, Feb 2, 2015 at 8:58 AM, Jason Stephenson <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> Ruth, >> >> I haven't thought of a friends group for our consortium, but I have >> suggested >> in the past that since the consortium is a 501c3, we could ask the public >> for tax-deductible donations. >> >> Our members didn't seem to receptive to the idea. No one specifically >> panned >> it, but nothing has come of it. >> >> Cheers, >> Jason >> >> >> >> -- >> Jason Stephenson >> Assistant Director for Technology Services >> Merrimack Valley Library Consortium >> 1600 Osgood ST, Suite 2094 >> North Andover, MA 01845 >> Phone: 978-557-5891 >> Email: [email protected] >> >> >> > > > -- > Ruth Frasur > Director of the Historic(ally Awesome) Hagerstown - Jefferson Township > Library > 10 W. College Street in Hagerstown, Indiana (47346) > p (765) 489-5632; f (765) 489-5808 > > Our Kickin' Website <http://hagerstownlibrary.org> Our Rockin' Facebook > Page <http://facebook.com/hjtplibrary> and Stuff I'm Reading > <http://pinterest.com/hjtplibrary/ruth-reads/> > > > -- > Kathy Lussier > Project Coordinator > Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative(508) [email protected] > Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier > > -- Ruth Frasur Director of the Historic(ally Awesome) Hagerstown - Jefferson Township Library 10 W. College Street in Hagerstown, Indiana (47346) p (765) 489-5632; f (765) 489-5808 Our Kickin' Website <http://hagerstownlibrary.org> Our Rockin' Facebook Page <http://facebook.com/hjtplibrary> and Stuff I'm Reading <http://pinterest.com/hjtplibrary/ruth-reads/>
