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January-March Memorials, Gifts and Donations Libraries For the Future Update How About a Quarter Million?
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How About a Quarter Million?
The annual book sale, donations, and membership dues are the major sources
of income which we set out each year to turn into grants to the Austin
Public Libraries. Adding up the grants in the previous four years totals to
nearly one quarter million dollars and we are on track this year to extend
the tradition. The budget for 2000 commits $75,450 in grants for the libraries. At the
heart of the budget are the annual allocations to the main and branch
libraries. Again this year each of the nineteen branches receives $1,000 to
supplement their activities. A combined grant for the Faulk Central Library,
Austin History Center, and Central Texas Library Association amounts to $16,450 and
like last year includes $4,000 for the popular Summer Reading Program. Special projects make up the remainder of the year 2000 grants. The
Literature to Life Program, with the traveling puppet shows that were such a
hit last year, will be back with a grant for $14,000. Last year we received
$1,000 from the Texas Commission on the Arts, Cultural Connections Program
to assist with the puppet shows and we will try to renew their assistance
this year. A project for computer printers and tables for the branches was
started last year but not completed and is carried over in this budges at
$15,000. Rounding out the special projects is $1,000 supporting the
Libraries for the Future project. New for this year are the ongoing book sales at the main and branch
libraries. Response so far has been tremendous an now we have the best of
both worlds: the excitement of the two-day annual book sale the leisure of
year-long sales! David Capshaw
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