It is time to close the annual appeal. A big thank you to everyone that dug deep at a difficult time to help support The Green Free Library.
As many of you know, the budget for this year is incredibly tight. In order to help supplement the decreased funding, the board allowed us to send out the first appeal letter asking for donations since the capital campaign launched several years ago for renovations.
Donations in the amount of just over $8,900 were raised, slightly short of the goal of $10,000. Even though the first annual appeal (as we are calling it) has ended the library will gratefully accept donations throughout the year. The Green Free Library is a non-profit organization so any donations you make are considered tax-deductible and we will be happy to provide you with a receipt.
Why does the library need so much money?
The Green Free Library relies on interest provided through investments and endowments. As everyone is aware the economy is in bad shape, and the stock mark is doing poorly, thus the amount of interest earned is less than usual. The cost of basic utilities has almost doubled in the last year, supply costs have increased, and even books cost more.
Doesn’t the library get money from the State?
Yes, but once again that money has been reduced by several thousand dollars. Costs have gone up, funding has gone down. Get the picture?
The Director is also working diligently to search out and apply for grants to provide additional and continued services to benefit library patrons of all ages.
Can’t the library reduce its spending?
Well let’s see, if we turn off the lights it’s hard to read the titles of the books. If we turn off the heat, it gets mighty uncomfortable for staff and patrons. If we stop buying books, that kind of defeats the purpose of being a library, doesn’t it? Though we have reduced the number of books we purchase. Unfortunately this means some people don't see their favorite authors on the shelf.
With the decline in the economy providing less disposable income for families, and putting several individuals out of work, public library usage has risen drastically. Public libraries provide many, many services for free.
Here at The Green Free Library you can check out books, magazines, music CDS, movies on VHS and DVD, audio-cassettes/CDS/CD-ROMS to learn a foreign language and books on AC/CD/and Playaway for FREE!
There are also four public Internet Access computers and Wi-Fi service for those with their own laptops that are available for FREE! (Printing however, does cost 10 ¢ per page-and is only available through the library’s computers at this time.)
If you would like to make a donation to The Green Free Library visit here for downloadable forms, or just stop by the library. Any donation, no matter how big or how small is appreciated. One $25 donation will buy an adult best seller, or 2 children’s’ books.
The Library is doing everything it can to keep services free, and available to all who need them in this difficult period of America's history. In order not to reduce hours of operation, we are relying on the generosity of the community.
If you cannot afford to make a cash donation the library will also be pleased to accept gifts of new DVDs or those that have been viewed only once or twice and are not scratched. Some books in very good condition and recently published may also be used on the shelf, other items will be donated to the Friends of the Green Free Library for their annual booksale in June. These items are also tax-deductible, though the staff of the library, and the Friends only acknowledge the types and numbers of items received with signed receipt. It is up to those making the donation to provide a value for tax-records.
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