Eight Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562 | (951) 304-
Murrieta Public Library Foundation, Inc.
A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
"Our Story "
Are Libraries Obsolete?
There are those who say that Libraries as we know them are obsolete, that there is
no longer a need for the "stucco and tile," the shelves of books on paper, and the
Library Staff to assist, direct and provide information for those who come to the
Library. The Murrieta Library stands today as the resounding rebuttal to this viewpoint.
A
Growing Institution
The Murrieta Library was a growing institution before the recent economic downturn.
With its new building opened in March, 2007, situated in a growing community, the
Library has seen a steady increase in visitors and circulation of its collection.
A new community was being built in Murrieta and the Library was in a position to
expand its role as a vibrant part of the educational, cultural and recreational infrastructure
of this community.
An Economic Downturn
Then came the recent economic downturn, and the use of the Library and all it has
to offer doubled then tripled. People have turned to the Library in a time of financial
stress for books to read, DVD's and videos to entertain, events for their children,
to use facilities such as the computer lab, to access information like how to write
a resume, to search business databases, and for a myriad of other needs. The Library
staff has risen to the challenge to meet these needs but it has not been easy in
the face of staff curtailments caused by loss of tax revenue and a hiring freeze.
Even basic tasks such as shelving books have become monumental in the face of increased
use of the Library and fewer staff members. Funding limitations have reduced the
Library's ability to expand its programming to include more cultural, educational
and recreational options.
Working to Overcome
We are among those in Murrieta who are working to build a cultural base for our new community, to insure that literature, art and music are a part of our environment and that the children of Murrieta are exposed to great books, classical music, traditional jazz, and to art in all of its forms. The Library wants to be a part of this environment but needs assistance to do so. With the Foundation's help the Library can provide lectures by noted authors, concerts for both adults and youth, host art exhibits in the Library, Community Room and Garden of Verses and provide an array of programs that educate and enrich the lives of all Murrieta citizens. We have the opportunity through the Foundation to support the Library to become a cultural center in the community.
Looking to the Future
There are many "community building projects" that the Library can undertake with
the funding support of the Foundation. The Library is the only repository for historical
documents in the City pertaining to Murrieta and its surrounding communities. It
is a center for local business data and information. And, of course, it can expand
the educational programs offered for the children, teen and young adults of our community.
Funding is needed for addressing all these needs through cutting edge technology
as well as expanding Library facilities. Additionally, if the Murrieta Library Foundation
had been in existence and had met its goals to establish an endowment, it would have
been in a position to help the Library and its staff with its administrative needs
when the economic downturn occurred...
These things are all possible with the additional
funds that can be provided by the Foundation.
The Library needs the Foundation and
the Foundation needs you.
The Annual Fund:
Provides flexible and immediate funding
so that the Library can address current needs not funded through the City's budgetary
process. These funds are crucial to giving the Library the means to act quickly and
creatively to meet emerging community needs and to take advantage of special opportunities.
Endowment
Funds:
Ensure ongoing excellence. Creating endowments for cultural events, Library
programming and electronic resources will enable the Library to achieve its goal
of becoming a cultural center by stabilizing funding. The Foundation will invest
the principal and distribute a portion of the interest annually.
