Library Seeks Funds for New Endowment
Investment Will Fund Future Programs, Needs

Any person who gives a $1 donation to the St. Ignace Public Library will actually be putting $3 into the library's piggybank for educational programs and technology, thanks to a new library endowment matching fund program.

The St. Ignace Public Library, Friends of the Library, and the Community Foundation are working together to establish the fund, which will eventually be used to expand library programs, maintain Community Room furnishings, and add to technology offered at the library, said Friends of the Library President Sherri Wheeldon.

"We'll be able to use the funds for expanding popular programs like Movie Night, which we added for the first time in October, make sure we have the proper furnishings in the Community Room, and keep providing up-to-date technology, like the new projector we bought this past fall," Mrs. Wheeldon said.

The public library board must raise $5,000 to launch its endowment fund, and is now seeking public donations. It already has a commitment for a matching grant of $1,050 from the Ernie Harwell Libraries Endowment Fund, which was announced in December, and a commitment from the Friends of the Library to match public donations dollar for dollar, up to $1,000, effectively tripling public donations that come in. The library board hopes to attract donations from residents who want to make a lasting gift for educational programs at the library. The first $1,000 of public donations will be matched by the two grants, netting about $3,000 of the $5,000 needed to establish the fund.

An endowment is an invested fund that uses only the income from the investment to pay for projects. The original fund itself remains intact, continuing to earn investment dollars for future projects. The St. Ignace Area Community Foundation has set aside a fund earmarked for the Library Endowment Fund, and will hold those funds in escrow until $5,000 in donations is reached.

The endowment will be guided by the library's seven-member board of directors, said board chair Linda Monville, which will use the funds for the betterment of the library under the direction of librarian.

Donations to the project are tax deductible.

Mrs. Wheeldon said donations can be made at the library, or to any Friends of the Library member. Checks can be made payable to St. Ignace Area Community Foundation, SIPL Endowment Fund, and sent to P.O. Box 151, St. Ignace Michigan 49781.

Library board members are Mrs. Monville, Paul Grondin, Renee Vonderworth, Jean Nitz, Hart Plumbstead, Margaret Peacock, and Mary Maurer.