HISTORY

2001
The Palo Alto Library Foundation is formed and receives its first donations.


2002
The Palo Alto Library Foundation obtained its nonprofit status in 2002. At that time, the board anticipated that a bond measure to expand Children’s Library and replace Mitchell Park Library and Community Center (Measure D) would pass in November, 2002. Unfortunately, it failed to gain the 2/3 majority needed for passage, by just a small margin.


2003
In early 2003, an anonymous donor gave the Friends of the Palo Alto Library $150,000 for renovating and expanding Children’s Library. The donor pledged an additional $200,000 if that amount could be matched by private fundraising before the end of the year.

The FOPAL president, Ellen Wyman, asked the City to make a $1.2 million commitment to renovatie and expand Children’s Library if non-City funds in the same amount could be raised by year end. The City agreed to the challenge.

The Palo Alto Library Foundation then teamed up with FOPAL and the Library Advisory Commission to raise the necessary funds. By year end, success was ours. Approximately $1.1 million in private funds was raised for the construction effort by January 2004. Adding on federal grant funding, the goal was met.


2004 to 2006
But Children’s Library was not finished. The Foundation took responsibility for raising an additional $400,000 to provide necessary furniture, fixtures and equipment. That goal was reached by the end of 2006.

In 2005 The Foundation also raised $38,000 to provide new teen zone furnishings for the Main and Mitchell Park Libraries.


2007
The completion of Children’s Library has required many board member hours in 2007 – finalizing donor bricks and the donor wall; paying bills for furnishings and equipment (and helping to select them); and planning a celebration!

At the same time, the Foundation has also closely followed the City Council and Library Advisory Commission’s efforts to develop a plan for the improving the other library branches. And, as we move forward, that work is rapidly becoming a major thrust. We hope the community will respond generously so that Palo Alto’s Main and Downtown libraries can be refreshed and renewed, and the Mitchell Park Library can be replaced. For more information, read: Why replace Mitchell Park Library?