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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Bozeman Public Library Foundation! If you still have questions after reading through the list below, please contact Foundation Director Paula Beswick at 582-2426 or director@bozemanlibraryfoundation.org and she would be happy to answer all inquiries.
| What is the Library Foundation? |
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Public libraries are tax-supported civic institutions. The basic operations of the Bozeman Public Library -- building maintenance, essential staff, purchasing of books and materials, etc. -- are directly supported through the City of Bozeman and Gallatin County budgets. The county provides up to a third of the Library's annual budget. But local government funding alone cannot meet the rising operating costs and the growing community’s population and needs. That's where the Bozeman Public Library Foundation comes in. A thriving foundation can turn a really good library into a GREAT library. It takes the community to help fund and support our Foundation so it in turn can make our Library the best in the state.
The Foundation is made up of a group of dedicated volunteers who help guide and lead the staff in the efforts to raise money and enhance programs and services offered by the Library, free and open to the public. |
| What does the Foundation do now that the capital campaign for the new library is completed? |
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The Foundation wrapped up the 10-year capital campaign in July 2007, raising nearly 37% of private money for the community's public library. Since that time, the Foundation has continued to fund special projects such as various landscaping needs, the memorial park benches, and the installment of the stack lighting in 2010 to finish off the new building. At the same time, the Foundation also organized, ran, and funded new programs and services, instituting several flagship programs: One Book - One Bozeman, the Children's Festival of the Book, Exploring the Arts, and a new Artist in Residence program. The Foundation continues to support the ongoing needs of the Library that are not provided through city funding, as well as raising money for an endowment for long-term, stable funding in the future.
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| Who is in charge of what? How does the Foundation Board operate in relation to the Library Director? |
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The Foundation exists to support the Library and its mission to serve the community. The Foundation Director, simply put, oversees the work of the Foundation, which includes fundraising, developing programs and activities hosted and/or supported by the Foundation, making sure the organization is always in compliance with non-profit regulations, and much more. The Foundation Director reports directly to the Library Foundation's Board of Directors. The Library Director, who reports to the Library Board of Trustees, runs the Library, manages the staff, and oversees all operations. The Foundation Director and Library Director work closely together to ensure that goals and funding are working in tandem.
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| Who are the Library Trustees? |
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The Library Board is comprised of five Trustees who are appointed by the City Commission. These volunteer trustees are the governing body for the Bozeman Public Library. They serve five-year terms and can be appointed to two terms. The board meets monthly on the third Wednesday of every month at 4pm in the Board/Staff Conference Room. All meetings are open to the public. |
| What is the difference between the Foundation and the Friends of the Library? |
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The Library Foundation secures larger grants and private donor money, while also coordinating programs and services for the community. The Friends are membership based, lease out the coffee shop, and run three booksales a year. Both organizations are 501(c)3 non-profits, operate independently, and exist soley to provide additional funding for the Library, not to supplant the city's operational funding. |
| How can I help or get involved? |
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Donate! (See that colorful button, just below and to the right?) The money raised goes directly to our amazing library. In addition to donating money, we have volunteer opportunities for various programs and events, we are always looking for engaged board members, and we often need professional services to help guide our work. Please contact the Foundation Director for more information on how YOU can be more active in your support of the Library Foundation and Bozeman Public Library! |
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