It’s a new year, and that means we have a new private-funding goal for 2020, plus the first month of results to share.

This year’s goal is $108,034, which is slightly lower than last year ($114,453). The amount was determined after the 2020 budget was approved by the board, and the total guaranteed funding from the state and local municipalities — covering roughly two thirds of the library’s budget — was taken into account.

Riding on the strong year-end momentum that brought EPL close to 100% of the goal for 2019, January got the year off to a good start, with $7,424, or 6.9% of the goal. Donations and gifts made up the bulk of the results, with additional contributions coming from the Friends’ Book Sale Nook, fines and fees, and monthly raffles.

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.

Come back next month for the February results, and keep the momentum going with this list of easy ways to support the library:

  • Enter the monthly raffles at the library for a chance to win great prizes donated by local businesses.
  • Buy a Dan Schantz ‘Monthly Maddness’ card at the library for $20 and pick up a gift each month for a full year at Dan Schantz Greenhouse (a $75 value). You’ll be supporting the library, the Friends of the library, and a local business too.
  • Make a one-time donation through PayPal with any major credit or debit card.
  • Set up an automatic monthly donation for any amount (also through PayPal) to spread payments throughout the year.
  • Write a check to the Emmaus Public Library and drop it by or mail it to us at: 11 E. Main St., Emmaus, PA 18049.
  • If you shop at Amazon, use Amazon Smile and choose Emmaus Public Library to have the library receive a small percentage of your purchase at no cost to you.
  • Join The Friends of the Emmaus Public Library for as little as $10 a year and help organize events such as the annual spring book sale.
  • Speaking of the spring book sale, mark your calendar for this year’s big event on Saturday, April 25, at Lower Macungie Middle School (6299 Lower Macungie Road in Macungie). Doors open at 7 a.m. and prices start at just .50 cents. Every purchase supports the library.
  • Donate gift cards to purchase craft or office supplies, or to be used as prizes for Summer Reading Clubs.
  • Buy an EPL tote bag, puzzle, or sticker that sports our logo.
  • Buy a K-cup and enjoy a hot coffee, tea or cocoa while you browse for books — now just $1!
  • Donate your time and talents to the library by becoming one of our awesome volunteers. Go here to download a volunteer application or pick one up at the desk.
  • Shop at the Friends’ Book Sale Nook all year long in the library for gently used books and puzzles at great prices.
  • Clean out your bookshelf and donate gently used books, DVDs, CDs or puzzles in good condition to be added to our collection or sold by The Friends of the Emmaus Public Library.

Thank you for supporting the library!