FOUNDATION

The mission of the Washington County Public Library Foundation is to establish and administer an endowment fund that will attract support from the private sector and foster opportunities to create, enhance, and improve public library service to all the people in the county.

Our Focus

Since 1954, residents of Washington County have enjoyed the educational and cultural benefits of public library service.  Resources and usage have grown steadily as the Library responds to changes in society and information needs.

Today the library system consists of:

• a main library

• four branch libraries

• an outreach program

The Washington County Public Library System offers:

• an extensive collection of books  and magazines

• electronic databases, available  off site and in the library

• books on tape, CD ROMs,  videos, CDs, and much more.

 The many services provided include:

• free public Internet access

• extensive programming for children

• specialized services that support research.

History and Purpose

The Foundation was created in 1996 to receive and administer donations for the benefit of the Washington  County Public Library System. The Foundation functions as a catalyst for attracting private funding from individuals, businesses and organizations.   These funds are solicited in support of ongoing operations, special programs, projects and endowments.

 Funds raised by the Foundation do not replace tax money; instead, they enhance the quality and range of services beyond the level that public funds provide.

Structure

A Board of Directors manages the  Washington County Public Library Foundation.  The 20-member Board includes representatives from the Library Board of Trustees, the Friends of the Library, and others in the community who volunteer their time and expertise to assist with the operation and management of the Foundation.

The Foundation Board works closely with the Library Board to identify and provide support for projects identified by the staff and community.

Tax Exempt Status

The Foundation is recognized as a tax-exempt non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  As such, donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Expenditure of Funds

The Foundation Board of Directors makes all spending decisions and project selections.  Suggestions for projects are made by the library administration, with support of the Library Board of Trustees.

Why Your Gift is Important

The public library occupies a unique place in today’s global information society.  Our library is committed to ensuring that every person in the community has access to the resources they need to enrich their lives through education and culture.  Whether the need is for traditional library services, digital services, or both, the library plays a vital role in narrowing the gap between the information “haves and have-nots”.

This goal can be advanced with your help.  Your gift is an investment in the library’s future.

Ways To Help

Endowments

Contributions are invested with only the income earned from the investment used to support library projects.  There are currently three endowment funds within the Library Foundation.

Book Endowment - Earned income is used only to purchase books and other library materials.  A contribution of $500 or more to the book endowment can be considered as a named gift.

Davenport Endowment - This was established in 1988  by members of the Peter J. Davenport family. Income earned is used to purchase local history and genealogy materials.

General Endowment -  The use of earned income is unrestricted.

Operating Fund

Contributions are invested until needed for special projects.

Building Fund

Contributions are invested until needed to support building and renovation projects and to purchase new equipment and furnishings.

How to Give

Gifts to the Library Foundation offer opportunities for you to leave a legacy for future generations. Contributions made to the general fund or the building and renovation project allow the Library to purchase materials that they might not be able to do otherwise.

Contributions to the endowment funds will provide income to be used  annually for the purchase of books. Each contribution of $500 is invested with the earned income estimated to provide for the purchase of one book per year through perpetuity.

 Please make your tax-deductible contribution payable to: 

Washington County Public Library Foundation
205 Oak Hill Street
Abingdon, VA 24210

For more information about the Foundation or our Planned Giving Program, please call (276) 676-6383, or come by the Library.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS