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Save the Date!
Off the Shelf Event
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Library Foundation of Hennepin County and Friends of Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County libraries are co-hosting a benefit in celebration of our libraries.

Held throughout the beautiful Minneapolis Central Library, Off the Shelf will feature opportunities to rub elbows with authors and artists, eclectic music, appetizers and libations, dancing, and a Literary Marketplace auction of fine art broadsides, limited-edition books, and special literary tours.

Ticket Information is Available. For more information, please contact The Friends of MPL Manager of Development, Dawn Flinsch at 612-630-6175 or dmflinsch@hclib.org.

February 29, 2008
The Hennepin County Library Board unanimously passed a resolution at its Wednesday, February 27, board meeting supporting a unified support organization that would combine the strengths and talents of both the Library Foundation of Hennepin County and The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library.   The recommendation was presented by the Library Board's sub-committee, which included input from Library Director Amy Ryan, as well as officers from the Library Foundation and the Minneapolis Friends.

According to Library Board Chair John Gibbs, the goal of the consolidation effort is to create the strongest independent support organization for the newly merged library system. The sub-committee recommended that the Library would be best served by having one support organization.

A steering committee made up of Library Foundation board officers Pam Gagnon, Rick Bliss, Sue Busch Nehring and immediate past president Donna Scudder and Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library officers Glenn Miller, Holly Denis, Chuck Neerland, as well as Anita Duckor has been meeting to begin the work of identifying issues to be resolved.  This committee is in the process of hiring a consultant who will facilitate what will be a challenging, but exciting process.  

This process will include gathering input from board members, donors and others to assist us in developing our vision for the future.

The timeline is ambitious, but we are hopeful that the basic issues can be resolved in line with the dates identified.  We are following the example of the library merger and recognize that there will be many details to work out after the new support organization has been created.  There will also be much more info to share in the coming weeks as a result of the steering committee meetings and the hiring of a consultant.

PDFs of the Resolution Guidance Statement on the Consolidation Process and Blueprint for Guiding Principles for the Consolidation Process are available by clicking on these links.

These two documents will serve as starting point for discussions about the future of private support for libraries in suburban Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis.

The Foundation encourages donors and stakeholders to contact Jane Johnson, Executive Director, with questions or comments at 952-847-8634 or jljohnson@hclib.org.

New Directors Named to Board of Library Foundation of Hennepin County
Date: December 3, 2007
Three new board members were named to the Board of the Library Foundation of Hennepin County, a non-profit organization that finds, funds and fosters resources to strengthen Hennepin County Library’s value to the community through funding and endowments.

New board members are: Velia Melrose of Edina, Courtney Grimsrud of Minneapolis and Russ Lemker of Edina.

Pam Gagnon was elected President of the Board for 2008.

Completing their second term on the board are Diane Ladenson, Peggy Watson, Michael O'Rourke, Vinod Padhye, and Martha Head.

Library Foundation Announces $264,300 in Support for Hennepin County Library in 2008
The Library Foundation of Hennepin County announced a significant commitment to Hennepin County Library, approving funding for 32 grants in 2008, at the Foundation board meeting on October 18, 2007 The Foundation's commitment to secure $264,300 through a combination of private donor gifts, corporate and foundation grants and sponsorships will support initiatives and programming above and beyond services and programs currently available at the Hennepin County Library suburban system of 26 libraries and two Readmobiles that serve preschoolers to older adults in the metro area.

In 2008, top priorities for funding include Guys Read, a nationally recognized program designed to keep adolescent boys engaged with reading at a time when they typically lose interest, TTYL@HCL, a homework support and technology literacy program launched in 2007 at two pilot sites; and teen literacy programs including book clubs, author events, Teen Read Month, Teen Tech week, technology and community outreach. In addition, Foundation funding supports outreach initiatives to new immigrants in our community through multi-lingual computer classes, bi-lingual story times, and literacy based events for children, their families and caregivers. A program series for seniors: 55+: Age Well, Live Smart launched in 2007 will continue and expand in 2008. The Foundation also supports several literacy initiatives in the county correctional facilities and continues to strongly support school readiness with early literacy program funding.

A complete listing of funded projects (pdf) is available.

The Library Foundation of Hennepin County, incorporated in 1986, is a tax-exempt charitable non-profit organization that seeks private funding to support the Hennepin County Library (HCL).

The Foundation builds public/private initiatives that create innovative programs and provide opportunities to enrich lifelong learning throughout our community.

For information, contact Jane Johnson, Executive Director, Library Foundation of Hennepin County, 952-847-8637.