When the fiscal year closes on June 30, officials at Wilton Library will hope that they don’t fall short of what they needed to raise for the year. This year’s annual appeal is going on right now, with an overall goal of $230,000. Right now they’re concerned they may not make it, as they’re still $16,000 behind their goal–with 12 days to go, that’s more than $1,000 a day.
Library administrators face a tough goal each year–25% of the library’s budget has to be raised annually through fundraising in the community–that’s more than $1 million overall. Many people think Wilton has a ‘public library’ but Wilton Library Association is a public-private partnership, and so much of the burden of making its budget falls on the library itself.
The money they raise is earmarked for all of the resources the library provides–best sellers, large print books, and movie and TV series DVDs; plus all of the digital resources the library offers–downloadable books, magazines and music. And what would Wilton Library be without the programs offered daily–author talks, music programs, maker space classes, and more.
All week the library will be packed with Wilton High School students studying for finals. Today, the children’s library is preparing for a story time STEM program this afternoon. Tonight there is an author talk for a book about a Wilton personality. As always, the walls are hung with one of the many art exhibitions the library hosts year round.
The Wilton Library gives so much to the community. It makes it easy to give back and keep one of the most important community resources vital and healthy.
Donating online is easy. Click here.
There’s also a Sip & Tip fundraiser going on tonight, Tuesday June 19 at Marly’s Bar & Bistro (5:30-10:30 p.m.). Library Friends and members of the Board of Trustees will be behind the bar, shaking, serving and pouring to benefit Wilton Library, as 100% of the cash bar tips will support library programs, services and materials. Dining room patrons that wish to donate may give cash tips at the bar.