Foundation For Baltimore County Public Library
The Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial contributions to enhance the traditional tax-based funding for library resources, services and programming.
In 1999, based on the vision of library Director Jim Fish, the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library was established to provide additional financial and volunteer support that were much needed. Decreased funding had occurred as a result of the economic recession of the early 1990s. Soon after, tax-exempt status was obtained, a board of directors was recruited, a president was named and raising funds began.
Foundation for BCPL Mission
The Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library mobilizes resources to support the Library's commitments.
Foundation Objectives
- To provide funding for projects that encourage children and young adults to cultivate a lifelong enthusiasm for reading and learning.
- To act as advocates for the library to ensure that library services continue on into the future.
- To raise funds for specific programs or projects that enhance system-wide Baltimore County Library goals and objectives.
What the Foundation Has Accomplished
Between 1999 and 2007, the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library has provided funding for a large number of projects appealing to the library users and library staff. Some of the largest fund-raising projects include:
- Updated, more comfortable furniture for all library branches.
- The Read Rover Plus bookmobile – a “library on wheels” used for visits to day-care and at-risk communities.
- Updating computer technology in branches throughout Baltimore County.
- My First Library Card Campaign which helped almost 7,000 kindergartners and preschoolers across the county sign up for their first library card and provided a book and a backpack to each child.
Ongoing Foundation Initiative
Storyville at BCPL, designed by James Bradberry Architects, is the latest project to be funded by the Foundation for BCPL. This interactive early learning center, located at the Rosedale Branch of BCPL, hosts seven interactive play stations where infants and preschoolers can explore and grow while engaging in developmentally appropriate activities. Books and activities at each site promote cognitive, motor, language and social skills, depending on the age group.
This free, museum-like service encourages children in the greater Baltimore area and their caregivers to explore the interactive exhibits featured in a unique townscape. The townscape features a variety of innovative activity areas such as: a baby garden consisting of manipulative toys, mobiles, and board books; a fully stocked children's library; a theatre, complete with changeable marquee, costumes, and props; and other unique play and learning areas. Appropriate reading materials at different reading levels are placed at each learning area for the children.
Storyville at the Rosedale Branch has proven to be wildly successful. As of March 2010, there have been over 153,000 visitors from more than 100 ZIP codes around the region. Indeed, just for the twenty-seven days during the month of February that Storyville was open for business, there were 7,125 visitors. Of these, 1,827 were first time visitors.
This over $700,000 project was funded through a combination of financial pledges from corporate, individual, and non-profit organizations. In addition, as part of House Bill 51, the State of Maryland's consolidated fiscal year 2007 capital budget, a $250,000 allocation was included for the benefit of the Storyville Children’s Learning Center. At the beginning of the 2007 session of the Maryland General Assembly, Senator Kathy Klausmeier (D-8-Baltimore County) introduced Senate Bill 264 and Delegate Todd Schuler (D-8-Baltimore County) introduced a corresponding bill, House Bill 360, in the House of Delegates. These bills requested a grant of $250,000 to the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library, Inc. for the construction of the Storyville Children’s Learning Center at the Rosedale Public Library. The funds received under the provision of HB 51 were added to money that was raised by the Foundation for the Baltimore County Public Library from private sources and individuals to cover the construction costs.
Since the Rosedale Storyville has proven to be so popular, Baltimore County government and the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library engaged James Bradberry Architects to design a second Storyville at the Woodlawn Branch of BCPL. "Storyville West" opened on March 1, 2010. Having seen firsthand the positive impact that the existing Storyville has had for the community of Rosedale, it is certain that Woodlawn stands to gain a great deal through having a Storyville of its own.
Read more about this topic: Baltimore County Public Library
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