Budget cuts have created a $150,000 shortfall for county public libraries, and those cuts are already having an impact on library hours, staff size and the purchase of new materials. At the same time, library usage is on the rise.
In response to this crisis, the Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries has announced a fundraising campaign that will allow county residents more after-hours access to their libraries. Their goal is to raise $25,000.
“We’re using our libraries more, but funding them less. Since there isn’t money to keep the doors open as long as we’d all like, the Foundation is asking you to help us do the next best thing: make library resources more accessible when the doors are closed,” says Dr. Bob Alberti, Foundation president:
“Today, public library services are not limited to a physical building — they reach residents where they live, convenient to their busy schedules,” said County Library Director Brian Reynolds. “Whether a child is using a library database from home for a school assignment or a volunteer is delivering reading material to a homebound neighbor, ‘access' is the key. The Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public libraries has been promoting access to libraries for many years. I am proud and honored to be a part of this important effort.”
Funds raised will go toward a number of programs, such as:
- Online magazine and newspaper subscriptions, so you can read your favorite publications on your computer at home.
- Wireless internet (WiFi) at all local branches. Go online with your laptop in the library — or in the library parking lot.
- Public workshops to help us all learn how to use the library’s high-tech resources.
- Enhanced Bookmobile services for communities with very limited branch hours.
- BookLetters — a subscription service which will add book reviews and features to the county library’s website, www.slolibrary.org.
- New recorded books (“audiobooks”) online will offer even more entertainment and information choices for listening at home or on portable computers.
- eBooks: Books to read on your computer at home, or on one of the new portable readers, can be available to library cardholders via the library’s website.
- Subsidies for “place request” fees for books and materials from other libraries in the Black Gold (tri-counties) system, to enhance availability at smaller branches.
How to donate:
Individuals and organizations wishing to support the Enhancing Library Access fundraising campaign may make a tax-deductible donation in several ways:
By check to the Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries, P.O. Box 12942, San Luis Obispo 93406-2942
By clicking on the Contribute to the Foundation button in the next column
By visiting the County Library website at www.slolibrary.org
By calling the Foundation's voicemail at 546-1392.
Learn about the Central Coast Book and Author Festival, Sunday, September 19, 2010 in San Luis Obispo’s beautiful Mission Plaza. It’s a day for readers, writers, and artists! The festival is sponsored and operated by the Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries as a fund-raising event.
The Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries is a
non-profit public interest corporation which conducts advocacy,
fundraising and program activities to support and strengthen
public libraries countywide. The Foundation was formed in 1998.
Foundation Mission — We believe in our community. The Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries seeks to raise awareness and monies to strengthen our public libraries. We believe that strong libraries help build, nourish and support our community by providing a rich environment for learning and appreciation of knowledge. A great library system benefits everyone in our county.
To contribute to the Foundation, please click on the button below. You can make a contribution to help us meet our goals.
San Luis Obispo County Library
Vision Document
Download the document in PDF format