Annual Report 2018 Kitsap Regional Library Foundation
The combined impact of your support to Kitsap Regional Library totaled $127,689, providing needed funding for essential programs and projects.
Support to Kitsap Regional Library Programs & Branches Summer Learning Branch Program and support Make, Do, Share One Book One Community To The Library
Last year, 409 donors contributed more than $1,005,000 to the Library. We appreciate your commitment and remain truly inspired by your support as we continue to advance our mission.
Total Revenue
Public Support Grants Other Income
Inspiring our community to dream more, learn more, do more and be more.
February 6, 2019 Dear Library Supporter,
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very single day you inspire our community to dream more, learn more, do more and be more. Thank you for standing with us as we work together to advance our Library’s mission. As a donor, you are a vital and valued member of the Library family and your generosity has a profound impact on the communities we serve. Because of your support, Kitsap Regional Library is able to expand services and programming year after year and engage our community in new and exciting ways. Last year, more than 71,000 community members attended library programs, borrowed more than 2.3 million items and our mobile services team made more than 2,316 home visits. But your gift goes beyond supporting programs and ensuring access; you help change lives. You create opportunities for our youth to excel in reading, ensuring they develop a life-long love of learning. You empower our teens to explore new ideas that can lead to future educational and workforce opportunities. You support community conversations that lead to better understanding, compassion, and often new friendships. Your gift is an investment in the people in our community. Thank you for empowering our community to live their best life story. With gratitude, Wendy Kile Executive Director
Nurturing a Love of Reading
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ata shows that a child’s academic success by third grade – when they go from learning to read to reading to learn – is a key determination of their success in school. In support of this, each year Kitsap Regional Library invites every third grader in the county – around 3,000 kids – to get a tour of their Library. Through “To the Library” they meet their librarians, receive a new book, participate in engaging activities and sign up for their very own library card! By building relationships the library staff become trusted allies, helping kids through their school years and beyond – inspiring a life-long love of learning. A local third-grade teacher noted a transformation in one of her students:
“She’s reading more deeply and for better meaning and understanding. She was below grade level expectations and now she’s reading above grade level. She has ownership of that library card and is empowered to use it.” This is just one example of your impact on the life of child. “To the Library” would not be possible without your generous support. Thank you.
Ensuring Access Transforms Lives
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upporting the community where they’re at is the key function of Kitsap Regional Library’s Mobile Services program, providing access to information for our patrons who can’t visit our Library locations. Each month, Mobile Services visits over 200 homes and 45 facilities. Our team brings a collection of books to entertain, support patron’s interests and help reduce feelings of isolation in the community. Mobile Services is working to build a new program serving children 0-5 years of age
who have been exposed to traumatic childhood experiences. These experiences often stay with the child, with lasting effects on their education, health and relationships. By connecting with these children at an early age in their homes and communities, the Library hopes to improve the outcomes for those children, one story at a time. Your generosity ensures access for all, transforming the lives of those we serve. Thank you.
Empowering Young Adults
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or teens, choosing a college major or making a career choice can be overwhelming. Without the chance to explore their own interests, teens may not know what educational and career opportunities are available to them. That is why Kitsap Regional Library strives to support youth in exploring their passions through paid internships to young adults ages 16-25. The library helps youth focus on goals, personal interests and creates real-world job experience using 21st century skills. For Emily, this meant exploring her passion to help others. At first, she wasn’t sure how to turn this passion into an internship project, but through discussions with her mentor and various Library activities, she identified a need in the community for displaced young adults struggling in life after high school. With support from the Library, Emily built her own program called, “Adulting” providing a safe place for young adults to connect with others and discuss their fears and goals of the future. “This is my big dream for all teens, new adults and anyone struggling with life,” Emily shared. Emily is now attending Olympic College. Of her experience as an intern at Kitsap Regional Library, Emily says,
“Sometimes you’re going to have to do scary things to stand up for what you believe. Do those scary things. They are worth it. They will be worth it for you AND for others. This internship is yours and you can make anything of it.” Kitsap Regional Library has supported over 25 young adults through the Community Learning Internship program, with another 28 joining us in 2019. Your generous support has fueled the successful growth of this program, ensuring more young people have the tools needed for a thriving adulthood.
Let’s stay connected Phone (360) 405-9150
Email foundation@krl.org
Website krl.org/foundation
Make a difference for generations to come. When telling the story of our lives, we look for lasting meaning. Your story, your legacy can be a gift that will make a difference to the community now and for generations to come. A gift through your will to the Kitsap Regional Library Foundation will ensure that the Library continues to provide high-quality resources and gathering places for all ages and will keep alive the stories of our community.
Questions?
You can reach out to Wendy Kile directly by email at wkile@krl.org or call (360) 405-9150.
The Kitsap Regional Library Foundation proudly supports our Library – and our community – by facilitating charitable gifts that advance the Library’s mission: inspiring our community to dream more, learn more, do more and be more.