Eugene Public Library Foundation

Eugene Public Library Foundation is an advocate and champion for resources for Eugene Public Library, supporting its efforts to inspire lifelong learning and to enrich the entire community. Through responsible management of financial resources, the Foundation engages over 1,200 donors annually in directly impacting the Librarys services and reach in Eugene. The generosity of Foundation donors increases the Librarys ability to provide free programming, high-quality materials, digital resources, technology, innovative services, and equitable access to the entire community. Through specialized fundraising projects, the Foundation has been able to support initiatives such as free library cards for all 4J and Bethel public school districts, regardless of whether or not they live within the City of Eugene boundaries, an expanded urban fiction collection, new diversity in STEM activities, the launch of the Short Edition Storytelling Dispenser at Eugene Airport and more. In 2022, the Foundation raised funds to establish the Library of Things collection, providing resources for the library to lend things other than books such as games, technology, and hobby equipment, etc. The Foundation also partnered with donors to create the Theodore Gall Endowment for the Library of Things, an endowment focused on growing this new collection.

The Foundation funds the Imagination Library of Eugene, which provides monthly, free age-appropriate books to children 0-4 years of age to approximately 3,600 children per month, sparking a strong start to early literacy development and the lifelong love of reading. Founded by Dolly Parton, the program in Eugene is funded completely by local donors to Eugene Public Library Foundation. This year, we reached a new benchmark of distributing our 300,000th book and serving more than 12,500 children cumulatively. The Foundation supported efforts for county-wide coverage in Lane County and has seen significant growth in reaching children from birth as a result of expanded awareness. With the continued impact of COVID-19, this program is beneficial as it reaches children directly at their home by delivering high quality, age appropriate books to mailboxes throughout Eugene. Current volunteer outreach and advocacy efforts are focused on increasing enrollment of Spanish-speaking children and the program reaching children across Oregon through a network of affiliates.