It’s time once again to see how much our private-funding thermometer has gone up since last month.

With July providing a boost of $6,738, the year-to-date total now stands at $48,780, or 42.6% of the $114,453 goal. July results did bring us 6% closer, but still leave 57.4%–or $65,673–to be made up in the remaining five months.

In case you’re just tuning in, private funding represents one third of the library’s budget. While the other two thirds are covered through funds from the state and the three municipalities the library serves, this last third comes from variable sources such as donations, fines and fees, the Friends of the library, grants, etc.

Raising $114K from such sources is no small task, and if that goal seems rather tall, it is. According to Carl Cramer, board member and treasurer, the yearly private funding goal has gone up nearly 85% over the past 10 years, (including 8% this year alone). In an upcoming issue, Carl plans to discuss that and share more of his key findings and trends from the past 10 years of data, but in the meantime, there are many ways you can help the library close the gap.

If you like good food, good wine and good company, consider attending the library’s (business casual) Autumn Social on Sept. 27 at Brookside Country Club, or joining the Friends of the library for a Bus Trip to Winterthur Museum on Sept. 21, featuring a ‘Costuming The Crown’ exhibit. Both will be great events, and both will support the library.

You can also:

  • 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.
  • Drop cash donations or spare change in the donation box at the front desk or in the donation jar at events.
  • 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.
  • 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. Ask for a Volunteer Interest Form at the desk.
  • Clean out your bookshelf and donate books, DVDs, CDs or puzzles to be added to our collection or sold by The Friends of the Emmaus Public Library (in good condition only, please).

Thank you for your support! Stay tuned for the August figures in late September.