Dear Neighbours,

It’s hard to believe close to a year has passed since our new Library building opened its doors. Since then, giant steps have been taken toward making our library what we always hoped it would be—the heart of our community.

Adequate and well lit display space for the entire collection, local artwork throughout the building, an outstanding children’s collection, a program room heavily used both for library events and by other community groups, all this and so much more. It’s all there because of remarkably dedicated volunteers past and present, because of knowledgeable Chief Librarians, current and previous, and because the taxpayers of Salt Spring overwhelmingly voted to provide the funds needed to match federal and provincial grants. Also, and certainly not to be forgotten, are all the donors who for some years have generously supported a wide variety of the Library’s past “enhancement” and “enrichment” initiatives.

But with another year comes another Library Annual Giving Campaign. We very much hope that the community support, so helpful in the past, will continue to be forthcoming. This year’s donations, tax deductible of course, will be used:

• to allow the library to offer the best children’s programming provided in any British Columbia community our size;
• to continue hiring bright, hard-working summer students who both “fill in” for vacationing volunteers and also complete any number of special projects;
• to facilitate public presentations by both local and visiting authors and artists;
• to keep on offering a wide number of courses and classes to Salt Springers of all ages with particular emphasis on technologically challenged seniors;
• to take advantage of other opportunities consistent with our Library’s growing social and cultural role in the community.

First planning and then actually building our new library took in total well over a decade. That new home will now meet Salt Spring’s library needs for at least fifty years. Because of financially prudent management, and admittedly a bit of luck, the new building came in on time and under budget.

We are now asking both past and prospective donors to provide the extra amount needed to fund a level of excellence. We consider the number of donors an important measure of community support and for that reason all donations, large or small, are equally valued and greatly appreciated. Will you join with so many other community members in making your Library, not only the building itself but also what goes on in it, all it might be?

Donating online is easy and convenient. Please visit our website http://saltspring.bclibrary.ca/ and follow the blue CanadaHelps button or follow this link: https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/12263 , the Library’s designated donation page.

Stan Shapiro, Fundraising Chair
for the SSI Library Board