It’s time again for an update on private-funding, which represents about a third of the library’s budget–with state and local funding making up the rest.

The 2019 private-funding goal is $114,453, and includes donations, fines, fees, contributions from the Friends, and anything else that doesn’t come from the state or the three municipalities we serve: Emmaus Borough, Macungie Borough and Upper Milford Township.

Through the end of March, the total stands at $10,787, or 9 percent of the goal. That’s an increase of $3,517 for the month, which puts us over the $10,000 mark! We still have a long way to go ($103,666 to be exact) but there’s more to the results than meet the eye; namely the fact that two large components of our private funding–the library’s annual letter and the bulk of the contributions from the Friends of the Emmaus Public Library–are realized near the end of the year.

Each fall, the library sends out an annual letter to patrons summarizing highlights and achievements, as well as asking for support. This letter generates a significant amount of donations in the last few months of the year, for which we are very grateful.

The other large component of private funding that is counted at the end of the year is the annual contribution from the Friends’ fundraising efforts–including the huge annual used book sale that just took place April 13, Friends membership fees, and the sold-out Books & Beer event–all of which added up to more than $36,000 last year! Sales from the Friends’ Book Sale Nook located in the library are included in each month’s private-funding totals, but the larger contributions noted above are actually presented to the library in December, giving a significant year-end boost to the results.

Nonetheless, private-funding support is needed throughout the year–and the goal is also higher each year–so a fundraising committee is hard at work on additional ways to raise funds, including a wine social scheduled for the fall. Watch for more details on that soon. In the meantime, here are some ways you can contribute to everything the library provides for patrons and the community:

  • 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.
  • Donate gift cards to purchase craft or office supplies, or to be used as prizes for Summer Reading Clubs.
  • Buy a K-cup and enjoy a hot coffee, tea or cocoa while you browse for books.
  • Donate your time and talents to the library by becoming one of our awesome volunteers. Stop at the desk and ask for a Volunteer Interest Form.
  • Mark your calendar for a Fall Wine Social (more details to come).

Thank you for your support! Stay tuned for the April figures in late May!