Library Foundation, Friends merge
The St. Helena Library Foundation, established in 2008 to manage large gifts and bequests, is merging with the 45-year-old Friends of the Library.
The new nonprofit organization will be named Friends and Foundation, St. Helena Public Library.
The Foundation has disbursed more than $300,000 in its five-year history, while increasing its investment holdings by more than $200,000. The Friends raised most of the money for the construction of the library, and has provided more than $300,000 since the mid-’80s for collections, programs and technology.
According to a statement, the new organization will raise funds to enhance the library through major gifts and bequests, charitable trusts, membership and renewed community support.
“We are focusing on promoting the needs of the library and awareness of the great programs and services it provides,” said Chair Polly Keegan.
“We are dedicated to supporting the library as it continues to rank among the top libraries in California,” said Vice Chair Connie Egan.
The St. Helena Library received a four-star rating from Library Journal last year, making it one of the highest-ranked in the state. It serves more than 5,000 active cardholders who visit the library a combined 12,000 times a month and check out materials at a rate five times higher than the national average.
Library Director Jennifer Baker expressed excitement about the merger, adding that the library recently lost two major supporters in the late Dr. Robert Darter and Mayor Del Britton.
“I fully believe that both Del and Doc would be extremely happy with the merger of the two organizations and the work the new group is doing will continue to add to their legacies,” said Baker.
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