Guttenberg Library Foundation book sale
By Caroline Rosacker
The Guttenberg Library Foundation is pleased to announce it has scheduled its 2021 Book Sale for Friday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the library. Donated materials will be accepted until Friday, May 28. Due to COVID concerns, there will be no accompanying bake sale this year.
The Foundation accepts
• Gently-used hardback and paperback books, fiction and non-fiction, for children, young adults and adults
• Antique and collectible books
• Commercially-recorded CDs (music and audio books) and DVDs
• Sheet music
• Jigsaw puzzles with no missing pieces
They do not accept
• Damaged books
• Textbooks
• Encyclopedias
• Law codes of statutes
• Reader's Digest condensed books
• Surplus material from other institutions
• Outdated computer, business, current events, medical, and travel books
• Magazines
• Cassette tapes
•VCR tapes
“We are unable to take materials that are damaged or mildewed,” says current president Carolyn Clefisch. “Also, magazines and VCR tapes are no longer accepted. However, large-print books are always in high demand, and we would love to see more of those come in. The community has been very generous to the Foundation in past years, and we have had a first-rate inventory to offer the public."
“If you have more than one or two bags/boxes to donate, please call the library in advance (252-3108) so a Foundation member can be available to assist you. We are really looking forward to seeing our patrons again,” said Clefisch.
Guttenberg Library Foundation
The Guttenberg Library Foundation was created as a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization in 2013. The foundation's mission is to support and enhance the services and resources of the Guttenberg Public Library. The foundation's support is intended to supplement, not replace, regular taxpayer support for the library.
The Foundation board members include Carolyn Clefisch, president; Sue Leonhart, programming director; Wendy Shea, secretary; Jim Schlueter, treasurer; Katie Beitzel, library director; and supporting members Pat Krapfl and Jackie Lee.
"The Foundation is here to meet the immediate financial needs of the library," commented Sue Leonhart, program director. "The library director submits a yearly budget to the city council for approval. We complement that budget with additional funding for extra programming needs that surface throughout the year. We also volunteer and assist with library programming as needed."
Memorials and donations
"There are two ways to allocate memorial money and donations to the library," explained Clefisch. "You can donate to the Guttenberg Public Library or to the Guttenberg Library Foundation. Money gifted directly to the library is used for operational expenses. Money that is donated to the Foundation is used for additional services that enrich the current library programming. There is a difference."
"The money donated to the Foundation goes directly into our account and does not need to go through the city budget," noted Leonhart. "The funds are then available for the library's immediate use. Our non-profit status enables us to apply for grant money that the library may not have access to."
"We are a cooperative entity that works with the public library," Clefish clarified. "We want people to understand the Foundation is able to supplement the city's appropriated budget allowance throughout the year. For example, if an unexpected programming opportunity becomes available after the yearly budget has been set, we can provide immediate support."
Benefactors in the habit of donating money to the library as a gift, or in memory of a loved one, are asked to consider alternating gifts to the Guttenberg Public Library and the Guttenberg Library Foundation. Brochures explaining the group's mission and ways to donate to the Foundation are available at the library's circulation desk.