Why does the library need a Foundation?

We love our library! Citizens throughout Lawrence and rural Douglas County have discovered the bargain that is the Lawrence Public Library. With its huge array of free services, usage of the library is at an all time high. In fact, the library has experienced double digit increases in its circulation every year for the past decade.

Given this increased need for library services, private funding is more important than ever. The Lawrence Public Library Foundation is honored to help the Lawrence Public Library reach its goal of becoming the strong and vibrant library that Lawrence deserves. While private funding cannot replace strong public funding of the Lawrence Public Library, it is clear that the library can no longer rely solely on government funding to give children, students, and adults full access to the information and services they need.

More than ever, the Lawrence Public Library needs the financial support of concerned, civic-minded citizens who are committed to help make our good public library a GREAT public library.

Why should I help?

For 105 years, the Lawrence Public Library has been a treasured community gathering space. It is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds, and all economic levels, can find the means to promote self-improvement, acquire new skills, improve economic status, and enjoy literary, artistic, musical, scientific, and cultural presentations.

In a community that believes that information should be accessible to everyone, the Lawrence Public Library is central to that mission. Many of our patrons do not have access to books, computers or the internet at home. The library provides information free of charge to anyone who needs it.

Our great community deserves a great library. Your gift to the Lawrence Public Library Foundation is an investment in your community.

How will my donation be used?

Gifts to the Lawrence Public Library Foundation may be designated for the library's endowment fund or for larger, immediate needs of the library.

The Lawrence Public Library Foundation's endowment fund ensures that supplementary funding for the library will be available for generations to come. Interest income earned from the endowment is used to fund library programs and services such as books and other materials, improved technology, cultural programs and upgrades to the library building.

The Foundation currently is accepting gifts to help fund its 2009-2010 renovation project. While the record high library usage is very exciting, so many people using the library has taken a toll on the facility. The Library Board has approved a five point planned to give a face lift to our well loved, but worn out community library. For more details about the renovation, click here.

In addition to the library's endowment and renovation, Foundation funds also are used to provide matching funds for grants made to the library and for those "extras" that are outside of the library's operating and capital budgets.

How does the Foundation differ from the Friends of the Library?

The Lawrence Public Library is fortunate to have two fundraising organizations working on its behalf. The Foundation and the Friends of the Library each play an important role in providing supplementary funding for the library.

The Foundation was established in 1997 and is charged with receiving gifts for the library's long term endowment fund, seeking grant funding and corporate donations, as well as private contributions for capital projects.

The Friends have served as an essential library partner for more than 30 years. It is a membership organization that plans and organizes the library's spring and fall book sales. Each year, the Friends provide approximately $75,000 in supplementary funding for library programs and services. In addition, the Friends help to offset the library's book acquisition budget by supplying some of its donated books to the library's collection. Learn more about the Friends of the Library here.

How do I donate?

The Foundation can accept gifts of all kinds, including appreciated securities, real estate, life insurance policies, charitable trusts, memorials, and bequest provisions. In addition, many companies support the library by matching employee contributions. For more information, see our "Giving Options" brochure.

Contributions may be deductible for personal or corporate tax purposes to the fullest extent of the law. Please discuss the deductibility of donations with your tax advisor. We also recommend that you consult a finance professional for advice on the methods of giving that are most appropriate for your benefit as well as the long-term growth of the library.