The Chippewa Valley Post provides news of area nonprofit organizations in order to increase public awareness of their missions and activities, and to provide information that otherwise might not be made available.
Our “6 of Substance” series is part of this effort. It presents answers from area nonprofit organizations, in their own words, to six questions about who they are and what they do. The responses are edited only for length, grammar and style concerns.
This series will be updated regularly to introduce Chippewa Valley residents to the many nonprofit organizations and people working to serve the needs of our area. If you have a favorite nonprofit organization that you’d like to see featured here, please let us know at cvpost@gmail.com.
Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
Who do you serve?
The mission of Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is to enhance and support the library through fundraising and volunteer efforts. Our contributions in turn enable the library to provide the community with additional equipment, programs and services.
In addition to the library support, Friends of the Library provides several programs for the community. For example, the Give-a-Kid-a-Book program raises funds and solicits book donations to provide a new book to local children in need, during the holiday season. “Books for Babies” is a year-long program that provides free literacy kits, including a brand new board book, to the parents of all babies born in Eau Claire at Sacred Heart and Mayo Clinic hospitals. Our biggest revenue sources, the books sales and online book store, raise over $20,000 a year for the Friends and serve the community by circulating more books at a low cost.
How long have you been established in the Chippewa Valley?
This year we are celebrating our 30th anniversary! What started out as a few dedicated library supporters in 1987 has turned into a successful organization with two support staff, hundreds of members and many volunteers donating over 5,000 hours of their time a year.
What are the major issues you will be facing over the next 18 months?
With future government funding for the library uncertain, it is even more important for The Friends of the Library to continue to grow our current fundraising efforts as well as look for new opportunities.
Aside from financial support, how can the Chippewa Valley community support you?
All of our programs require support from volunteers to ensure their success. We welcome volunteers of any age or skill level and have opportunities for any interest and time commitment! To learn more, please contact friendsofthelibrary@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.
Who are some of the key people in your organization?
We have a wonderful Executive Board of Directors lead by our current president, Nancy Sowls, who is also the chair of the Give-a-Kid-a-Book program. Dr. Grace Rich is our Book Sale manager and spends hundreds of hours organizing a solid group of dependable volunteers. The Friends of the Library employs two part-time staff: Maria Baroni, program and development coordinator, and Jamie Claudio, administrative assistant.
What is the most important thing about your organization that people should know, but don’t?
Public dollars fund only part of the services provided by the library. Through the Friends’ fundraising efforts like the book sale and membership dues, the library is able to purchase important items and support programs it otherwise could not.
— by Maria Baroni, program and development coordinator
If you would like more information about the Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library, visit https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/friends-of-the-library/.
To see earlier “6 of Substance” listings, click here for the Archives.
To download a copy of the “6 of Substance” questionnaire, click here.