Campaign to take place March 2011 through March 2012
HENDERSON, Nev. – Times are tough. Henderson Libraries has been hit with massive budget cuts totaling more than 33 percent over the past four years. According to Tom Fay, executive director for Henderson Libraries, it will probably be another 10-12 years before the district’s budget fully recovers to what it was in 2007.
But while Henderson Libraries’ operating budget has decreased dramatically, library use has gone up considerably. In fact, in 2010 the circulation of materials checked out reached 1,842,395.
It’s for these reasons that the financial support the Henderson Libraries Foundation provides is more important than ever before.
The Henderson Libraries Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization funded by donations of gifts, grants and bequests, helps Henderson Libraries in its mission to create a literate community by providing financial support over and above the annual operating fund. Henderson Libraries relies on the support of the Foundation to continue to provide funds for the following areas: library collections; outreach services; innovative technology; capital projects; and scholarships.
The Foundation’s goal for 2011 is to raise $1 million from April 2011 to April 2012 to benefit Henderson Libraries. The money raised will go toward building the book collections at the six Henderson Libraries locations.
The campaign will be called “$1 for a Million” and will encourage library users to donate at least a dollar to the foundation every time they visit the library. Statistics show 60 percent of users visit the library at least twice per week. In addition to giving at any of the library locations, patrons will be able to give online and via text.
“In a down economy, library use naturally goes up. At Henderson Libraries, our circulation of material has increased by more than 40 percent and new registrations are up 33 percent,” Fay said. “Unfortunately, in a down economy, libraries’ funding significantly decreases, since it is so dependent upon sales and property taxes. The support the Henderson Libraries Foundation provides to us is invaluable – especially in this economy.”
Upon completion of the Foundation’s goal to raise $1 million to benefit the library district, it aims to raise $10 million for the library endowment. This would allow Henderson Libraries to function through the slow economic times, which are estimated to affect the district for the next five to 10 years.
The Henderson Libraries Foundation has been financially and publicly supporting the programs and collections of Henderson Libraries through charitable and educational activities since 1999.
Established in 1943 as a single library in downtown Henderson, Henderson Libraries now operates six locations throughout Henderson. Henderson Libraries cooperates with other public libraries in Southern Nevada, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Clark County School District and around the state to provide quality service for Nevada’s residents.
For more information on Henderson Libraries and its many services and resources, visit www.mypubliclibrary.com, call 702-492-6580 or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.