Palm Springs Library Foundation unveils ambitious fundraising plans

The Palm Springs Library Foundation outlined ambitious fundraising plans during a Library Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday evening, aiming to support library renovations and enhance children’s areas.

Peter Pearson, newly appointed executive director of the foundation, presented multiple initiatives. The foundation plans to host two special events, conduct individual solicitations, and launch a $1 million capital campaign.

“This next year, it’s going to be all about fundraising,” Pearson said.

The foundation’s first special event, Pride on the Page, is scheduled for Oct. 20 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. A second event, Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres on the Page, will take place in April during National Library Week at a board member’s home.

Two individual solicitation campaigns are planned for November-December and March-April, utilizing services from Carl Bloom and Associates, a firm specializing in library direct mail campaigns.

“We’re going to be mailing solicitations to about 7,000 households throughout the valley who’ve never given to us before,” Pearson explained.

The foundation has also embarked on a $1 million capital campaign to be matched by trustees, funding enhancements to the children’s area and community room during the upcoming library renovation.

Ed McBride and Jeffrey Norman have been named co-chairs of the capital campaign steering committee. The foundation is also assembling an honorary committee of well-known community figures to support the effort.

Bill Wylie, the foundation’s new board president, said, “Our ability to fundraise and achieve our goals and realize our mission is substantially higher by having Peter with us.”

The foundation recently elected six new board members, bringing its total to 23. Pearson noted the board now has “great skills and traits and connections in the community that are going to be so important as we go forth with more fundraising.”

In other news from the meeting, Library Director Jeannie Kays reported that architects will present the next stage of library renovation plans to the City Council on July 25. The library renovation steering committee is set to meet on July 24.

Kays also reported that a toilet malfunction over the weekend caused flooding in administrative offices and parts of the main library area.

“Four of the offices were completely drenched and the water was coming out the door,” she said. Staff are working from temporary locations while cleanup and repairs are underway.

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