The final private-funding numbers are in for 2020 — a year unlike any other in EPL history.
A strong December sprint added another $18,214, bringing the final tally for the year to $95,289 — or 88% of the $108,034 goal!
Donations to the annual fund campaign made up the bulk of last month’s results, which were rounded out by sales in the Friends’ Book Sale Nook, general donations, and cash receipts.
In a turbulent year when area residents and municipal partners felt the financial pinch of COVID-19, we were especially thankful for the continued support of our patrons, the Friends of the Library, and local groups and businesses. It was everyone’s combined efforts and ample generosity that kept the private-funding gap from being much larger that it ultimately was.
In addition, the library was approved for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in the spring. The PPP funds, coupled with a careful eye on expenses — all while keeping spending for new materials steady and taking on the costs associated with COVID-19 safety measures — helped to offset the gap in private funding.
The library also received a $25,000 grant from the Henry C. Trexler Trust, which covered the cost of upgrading the fire-alarm system and replacing an aging HVAC unit — and was very much appreciated.
Looking ahead to 2021
In other good news, all three of EPL’s municipal partners — Emmaus Borough, Macungie Borough and Upper Milford Township — have committed to fund the library at the same level in 2021. Thank you to everyone who reached out to their local council members to enlist their support for the library.
Finally, as we mentioned here last month, the Commonwealth of PA will keep funding for public libraries at its current level in 2021. State funding accounts for 20% of EPL’s budget, so it is a key component.
The EPL board will meet Tuesday (Jan. 19) to vote on this year’s budget, which will shape the 2021 private-funding target. Watch for that next month.
In the meantime, you can help EPL get off to a strong start in 2021 by making a tax-deductible donation or lending your support in other ways. Click here or on the ‘donate’ button below and visit the ‘Support EPL’ page for more ideas.
Thank you for supporting the library!
Note: For new readers, or anyone who’d like a refresher on what private funding is and why it’s so important to the library, check out ‘Where does the library get its money?’ and ‘A decade of library financials’ from our blog archives.
