Support from Burlington Taxpayers & Non-Resident Library Members:

The Library is a City Department funded by taxpayers and open to everyone!  Use of the Main Reading Room, the Youth Area, the Meeting Rooms, the Computer Center, and the collection (within the Library) is free to all visitors.

Burlington residents contribute to operating expenses through their property tax payments (an average of $41 per person per year in 2007).  Library members who live outside of Burlington contribute to the Library’s operating expenses through paying the non-resident membership fee.

In 1995, the taxpayers of the City of Burlington voted to allocate a ½-cent tax for book purchases.  This tax provides most of the funding needed to maintain the size and quality of the Library's collection.  Additional funding is obtained through donations from individuals and grants.

The Library does much more for the community than offer it’s collection for loan and a quiet place to read.  Our services include free public access computer use and workshops, children’s programs, book discussion groups, --and it’s all free!  (See the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2007 for a more complete description of Library services.)  These services are paid for by grants and donations from individuals and businesses who want the Library to be the great community resource that it is.

Here’s how you can help--

Share Your Financial Resources:

Donate:  It's tax-deductible.  Donors receive the Library’s monthly newsletter, BiblioFile, by mail, and are invited to the Annual Donor Reception and Book Sale Preview.  Here are the ways in which you can allocate cash or stock donations:

• General: Allow the Library Board to decide how best to allocate your donation.

• Designated: Choose a specific use for your donation:

• Audio/Visual

• Books

• Endowment (These donations are deposited directly to the Library’s endowment, a percentage of the annual income from which may be spent on books only.)

• Programs (such as the Summer Reading Program)

• Projects (Contact Amber Collins at 865-7214 to find out about the current projects needing funding.)

Make a Bequest:  Patrons can support of the Library after they've gone by including the Library as a beneficiary in their wills or investment accounts.

Join the Friends of the Fletcher Free Library:  For a clear description of how this separate, non-profit organization supports the Library, see the Friends page.

Shop for the Library:  Buy from the Shop for the Library web site, and a percentage of the cost of your purchase will be donated to the Library!

Buy Fletcher Free Library Products:  See the Library Store page for descriptions of Children’s sing-along CDs, bookbags and notecards and more!  Proceeds from sales support Library programs.

 Share Your Time and Talents:

Volunteer:  The Library needs volunteers in every department!  We are so grateful for our volunteers, and thank them with an annual luncheon prepared by staff and supported by local businesses.  Here are some of the opportunities available:

• Shelving Books

• Computer Lab Monitor

• Fundraising

• Library Board Member

• Outreach

• Youth Services

Make an In-Kind Donation:  If your business produces something that the Library could use, please contact Amber Collins at 865-7214 to explore possibilities.  Your support could translate into marketing opportunities for your business!

Cleaning house?  Donate used books for either the collection or for the book sales organized by the Friends of the Fletcher Free Library.  (Please note the Guidelines for Book Donations.)

Share Your Point of View:

Those who do not have the above resources available to share can support the Library in important ways:

• Write a letter to the local newspaper editor praising our services.
  

• Write a testimonial: Describe what you love about the Library and give it to Amber Collins with permission to quote you (you may give permission to use your name, too, or not—whichever you prefer).

Tell us what you think!  We value feedback on our services from our patrons.  Speak to staff at any of our public service desks (Circulation, Reference or Youth), or phone (see the Staff Directory on the About the Library page).

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Fletcher Free Library Mission Statement

The Fletcher Free Library serves the evolving educational and cultural needs of the Greater Burlington community.  Our urban public library offers a welcoming place for people to gather and to learn.  A trained staff helps patrons locate the materials and information they need for work and pleasure