The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) is a valuable asset to the Indianapolis community. From access to books and e-books to a wide variety of enriching programs to skilled librarian assistance, all available free of charge to the public, IndyPL makes life for Indianapolis better.
But IndyPL wouldn’t be able to do as many of the wonderful things that it does without the support of The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, which raises funds for Library programs. That’s why we’re excited to share five things that you might not know about your local library and library foundation!
- IndyPL has a foundation you can donate to!
The Indianapolis Pubic Library Foundation is the fundraising arm of IndyPL, and provides about $2 million in funding for approximately 80% of Library programs every year. While most staff salaries and books/movies/other items for the collection are purchased with tax dollars, many of the Library programs you love would not be possible without charitable support from donors to the Library Foundation. - By donating to the Library Foundation, you can receive Friends of the Library cards.
These transferable cards grant early access to Indy Library Store book sales as well as preferred seating at the Library’s annual Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture, which brings in a notable author for a lecture or discussion that is free and open to the public. Past authors include Ta-Nehisi Coates, John Irving, James Baldwin, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Patricia Cornwell, David McCullough, Neil Gaiman, Khaled Hosseini, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jacqueline Woodson. - This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Library Foundation.
To celebrate, the Foundation is raising funds for the Next 50 Fund, a fund dedicated to future children’s programming at the Library, like the Summer Reading Program and other initiatives for childhood literacy and learning. Learn more or make a gift at www.indyplfoundation.org/50. - For every dollar that IndyPL spends, it generates a value of nearly $3.
You can watch a short video below for more results from a study on the library’s return on investment. - In 2020, the Library Foundation is launching a new signature fundraising event called Circulate: Night at the Library.
Held after-hours in the gorgeous Central Library, this adults-only event lets guests roam through the historic building to experience a variety of fun Library programs with a cocktail in hand. Save the date for Circulate on April 18, 2020! Tickets will go on sale Friday, January 24, and you can watch our Facebook or Twitter for details on how to purchase tickets.
