Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation

As the Library changes and adapts to a rapidly evolving and changing environment for the management of information and the delivery of services, the Foundation intends to become a valuable and effective partner, encouraging community support and involvement, assisting the Library Board of Directors and staff in the exploration and implementation of new programs and services and the updating of existing programs and services--and providing financial assistance in areas limited by the amount of taxpayer funding.

A long-term goal of the Foundation is to raise funds through grants, planned giving and donations sufficient to support a Library Endowment Fund. Such a fund would provide valuable supplements to tax dollars--supporting the Library's efforts to keep pace with evolving needs.

The keys to our future success include the selection and maintenance of an active and committed Board of Directors and an Advisory Team of experienced, involved and well-connected community business leaders, as well as the achieving of community-wide recognition and support of the Foundation and of the value it provides for our Library and the community. That recognition will enhance our ability to raise funds and secure in-kind services, equipment and goods to facilitate our support of the Library and its programs and services and to ultimately establish and fund a Library Endowment Fund.

As noted in the following section, we have selected a Board of Directors with a variety of skills and experience and a vested interest in the future success of our Library. Also noted, we have created an Advisory Team of community business owners and individuals with corporate connections to advise our Board of Directors and to utilize their connections and relationships to support the goals of our Board and the Foundation.

We intend to offer community-wide programs and events to raise support and awareness of the Foundation and the Library. Our first event was a successful book discussion and signing at the Library in March of 2020 just before the Pandemic caused a community shutdown. Future programs and events are on hold pending the re-opening of the community. But in the meantime we continue to keep directly in touch with over 100 community members who have become contributors and to maintain a Facebook page to update users with regard to Library programs and Foundation activities.

The founder and Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors brings over 40 years of community leadership skills and experience as well as a passion for the work of supporting our community Library. Each member of the Board of Directors has been recruited for having specific skills and talents (Banker, Investment Advisor, CPA, Community Leader, Market and IT Expertise) and a desire to serve and contribute significantly toward making the Foundation a success. All Board members reside or work in Arlington Heights and have a vested interest in the success of the Foundation and the Library.

In addition to the Board of Directors the Foundation has created an Advisory Team by inviting community business owners and individuals with corporate connections to meet twice a year with the Foundation Board of Directors to discuss the needs and goals of the Foundation and the Library. They then offer suggestions and direction in addition to identifying connections and relationships to help in meeting those needs and achieving those goals. The Foundation realized almost $11,000 in in-kind benefits during the first quarter of 2020 as the result of Advisory Team efforts and connections.

Our goals for 2020 were:

1. To create an Advisory Team of community business owners and individuals with corporate connections. RESULTS: We have created a team of 9 Advisors that meet with our Board of Directors twice a year.

2. To raise $50,000 in cash to assist the Library in outfitting a new, stand-alone Makerspace through "Friendraisers" (small intimate parties hosted in individual homes providing updates on the Library and its services as well as plans for the new Makerspace), mailed Annual Appeal letters and brochures describing the Foundation and its goals and an online request for support through our web page. RESULTS: We have raised over $135,000 in cash and more than $11,000 in in-kind donations to support the Makerspace and have received $2,000 in restricted funds for a restoration and preservation project at the Makerspace.

3. To work with our Advisory Team to bring in $100,000 of in-kind support, services or donated products for the Library's new Makerspace building. RESULTS: As of mid-2020 we have received $60,000 of discounted products and $14,000 of donated products for the Makerspace.

We plan to establish goals for 2021 that will include the development of various offerings to support the Library and its services. Possible offerings include an update of the Library's "Kids World," remote Library Lockers in various locations within the community, a Senior Center reading room and the acquisition of laptops for circulation.