The Endowment Fund of the Juneau Public Library
The Endowment Fund of the Juneau Public Library was established in 1992 as the direct result of a generous bequest from the estate of Verna Hurley Carrigan. The Endowment Fund is a non-profit organization that works to promote and enhance public library services in Juneau.
The Endowment Fund supports supplemental library programs and projects which the library would otherwise be unable to fund. It serves as a vehicle for donations to the library. All gifts to the fund are used to build the fund's principal. Only a portion of the interest from the fund is spent on projects. Thus, a gift to the fund will continue to serve the Juneau Public Libraries for many years in the future.
The Endowment Fund Maintains Four Subfunds:
- The Verna Carrigan Estate--Verna Hurley Carrigan, a long-time Juneau resident, died July 24, 1992. The public library received a bequest from her trust to be used exclusively for the purchase of books, equipment, and related furniture for the library (no particular branch specified).
- Douglas Public Library Subfund--The Douglas Library board, when it disbanded in 1992, transferred remaining monetary assets to the Library endowment fund, to be used exlusively for the upgrading of the Douglas Public Library.
- Friends of the Juneau Public Library Subfund--The Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries provided a third subfund in 1993 with the intent of encouraging others to donate as they did, with no restrictions on use.
- Gomar Children's Fund--Subfund in memory of Miguel and Maria Vides Gomar purchases books and other library materials to augment the children's collections in all branches of the Juneau Public Libraries.
The Library and the Library Endowment Fund welcome gifts in any amount.
- Gifts of $2000 or more go directly to the Endowment Fund.
- Gifts of less than $2000 may also go to the Endowment Fund if they are designated for an existing subfund or if they are undesignated for any specific program or enhancement.
- The Library is grateful for all gifts and donations. In accepting used items, the library reserves the right to decide whether they should be added to its collection, given to another library, or sold in the Friends of the Library book sales. Money raised through the Friends of the Library book sales go to fund library materials, programs, and equipment.
- Monetary gifts may be made for designated purposes, such as the purchase of books or magazine subscriptions. The library will select the specific items purchased in accordance with its collection development policy.
- To arrange for a donation in someone's memory or to discuss other gifts, please call 586-5324.
Tax Deduction for Gifts to the Library or the Endowment Fund
The library and the Endowment Fund are part of the City and Borough of Juneau, and are not non-profits in the strict sense. However, gifts given for "community benefit" are normally tax-deductible.
The library will give a signed and dated receipt for gifts upon request. Non-cash gifts, including book donations, for less than $5000 must be valued by the donor.
The Board of the Endowment Fund
The board of the Endowment Fund is appointed by the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau and includes two public members and the Director of the Juneau Public Libraries. The current board members are:
- Patricia Macklin
- Mary Lou Madden
- Barbara Berg, Library Director
