Children run around the Shepherdstown Public Library's patio, during its Fall Jamboree celebration on Saturday morning. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Nine years ago, the Shepherdstown Public Library Foundation (SPLF) was established by three local residents, passionate about raising funds for the construction of the Shepherdstown Public Library’s (SPL) new building. When that longheld dream was finally realized last summer, with the opening of the library’s new home at 145 Higbee Lane, the foundation’s members realized that it needed to find a new mission.

According to SPLF President John Barton, the foundation’s new focus was determined after he and five other local residents joined the board in the late spring and early summer, following the retirement of all but one member of the original board, Mina Goodrich. Over the summer, the SPLF determined its focus should become ensuring the future of the Shepherdstown Public Library, by building up an endowment for its use.

“For the first 10 years or so, the foundation’s focus was on the capital campaign to build the new library, and now it’s pivoted to try to create an endowment,” Barton said, “Because we have very few cash reserves at the library.”

Barton noted that two of the new members are SPL Director Christy Hagerty and SPL Board of Trustees President Terry Kramer, whose input has already proven to be invaluable.

“They’re on the board as ex officio members,” Barton said. “The reason is so that the foundation can work hand-in-hand with the library. Our goal as the foundation is just to help the library, so having those two on the board is really important.”

Barton

The inspiration behind building up an endowment for the library came to the board over the last few months. The board’s decision to pursue this idea was further influenced, by learning that the Charles Town Library has been able to comfortably operate off of the interest of their own $7 million endowment fund. While raising a similarly sized endowment for the SPL may take some time, Barton indicated it was necessary.

“Only 78 percent of the library’s budget is provided by public funds. We hope in the future to get more public funding, but that is not guaranteed,” Barton said. “The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library and the Nourishing Literacy Giving Circle are instrumental in covering capital and operating costs. However, there is not enough funding left over from their efforts to create reserve funds that could be used to support new programs and services, staff development, unexpected problems and building upkeep. That is where the foundation will step in. The endowment created by the foundation should help to ensure longterm stability of the library.”

Barton noted that, because the SPLF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, it is able to accept grants, bequests and other gifts that the library cannot receive. Donations can be given toward the endowment through a number of other ways, such as through securities, real estate, designating the library as a life insurance policy recipient, retirement plans and cash gifts on the SPL website’s “Donate” webpage.

Of utmost importance, Barton noted, is that those interested in giving a donation should feel welcome to do so, regardless of the amount.

“When you talk about a foundation, some people might get the impression it’s only for rich people. But that’s simply not true. Every bit helps!” Barton said. “There’s no amount too small.

“They can help by donating time, too,” Barton said, mentioning those with marketing and fundraising experience are encouraged to share their expertise as either a SPLF volunteer or board member.

To learn more, visit the library or contact Barton at junzuu1@gmail.com.

“For whatever reason, we have had 1,300 new library cards signed up for, since the library moved into its new building,” Barton said, suggesting the reason for this growth is the library’s larger size and free parking lot. “Groups meet there, outsiders come in for programs — it’s kind of a community hub, now. It’s way more than just offering books, although books are an important part of it!”