Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Co.
By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors listened to a presentation from members of the Botetourt County Library Board of Trustees for the endorsement of a Botetourt Library Foundation at the board’s May meeting last Tuesday in Daleville.
Dr. Marlene Preston (Amsterdam) and Dr. Brandi Porter (Blue Ridge), two members representing the Library Board, presented to the supervisors a consideration to commit to a proposed Library Foundation and to offer input. During their presentation, Preston and Porter went over how the idea came to be, the anticipated benefits, and overall structure.
Preston mentioned “a lot of current support” for Botetourt libraries from the board and the community and that the foundation would look for new ways to generate funds to enhance the library system.
The history of establishing a library foundation dates back to 2017, as Preston explained to the board last Tuesday. The Library Board then approved the idea years ago, but then “came to a standstill” as former Library Director Steve Vest briefly explained to the board. Talks of establishing a foundation picked back up in 2022 and the board then appointed a situational committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing a library foundation.
Porter talked about the uses of a library foundation, most notably to support local public libraries, but also to act as an independent non-profit fundraising organization. She explained that these foundations are created to supplement existing budgets, “not to replace them.” Tax-exempt status would allow the foundation to apply for grants the current libraries aren’t allowed to apply for. It opens up opportunities for in-kind and monetary donations and planned giving.
She mentioned one of the major benefits of a library foundation is a non-citizen tax-based funding source for Botetourt Libraries allowing for capital projects to come to fruition sooner if successful and foundations earning money through interest and making invests with the money collected.
Porter went over a range of benefits from having a library foundation. In the short-term, a foundation could provide “a landing spot” for centralized donations; in the long-term, the foundation could apply for grants and seek larger monetary gifts for capital projects.
Some examples of those types of capital projects included in the presentation included small-scale enhancements like new furniture to larger-scale facility enhancements like new meeting rooms, if needed. Literacy programs could be introduced for additional summer reading programs. There are also opportunities for a foundation to provide additional senior programs and technological enhancements for libraries.
Porter emphasized that the foundation does not intend “to compete with the Friends (of Library) groups,” fund operational costs, circumvent the library’s mission or policies, or mandate library decisions.
She explained that funding for the libraries would be brought in through entity connections. Currently, there is government funding for libraries through local taxes and state funds for libraries. The “Friends of the Libraries” raise money for local branches and haven’t done any large-scale fundraising. The foundation would simply “fill a gap” being able to accept corporate and private funds, applying for grants, and focusing on the entire network of libraries, not individual branches.
Porter noted that “foundations take time to build.” With the foundation being separate from the local government, the foundation would operate with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) established between the county and the foundation.
Blue Ridge Supervisor Walter Michael asked if these types of foundations are being encouraged by the American Library Association (ALA). Porter said that she wasn’t aware of ALA’s supporting/endorsing library foundations. Michael added that there needs to be a “line of demarcation” to mitigate confusion between the libraries, the other library support groups, and a potential foundation. He expressed that he thinks the foundation’s bylaws and mission statement should be developed first.
Buchanan Supervisor Amy White stated the potential of a library foundation and thought a well-crafted MOU can better “delineate the roles of the various bodies that are involved… namely, Botetourt County Libraries, the Board of Supervisors, and this foundation. I think we can address any concerns at that point so that everybody knows what the rule is. I view this as a way to help grow our libraries without placing a tax burden on our citizens. I support that. I think that the opportunity for grants is immense and the opportunity for planned giving is immense. Those are two things we really can’t do with our current structure.”
Fincastle Supervisor Brandon Nicely added that due to his experience on the Botetourt Education Foundation, having these types of organizations in place “is a great thing… We appreciate the presentation and look forward to a little more down the road.”
Citizens attended Tuesday’s meeting with prepared comments about the board’s consideration of an endorsement for a library foundation, or specifically, the “questionable” and/or “obscene” books they claimed to be available in local libraries.
To watch the presentation in its entirety, visit Botetourt County’s YouTube channel and go to the “Live” tab to find a stream of the board’s May 28 meeting.
