The Friends of the Redmond Library were recently informed by the Deschutes Public Library Board that all funds raised by independent 501 (c)(3) Friends organizations must now go directly to the DPL for their use. The Volunteers and Members of the Friends of the Redmond Library think this is wrong and have scheduled a community meeting August 13 at 5:45pm at Ray’s Food Place Market in Redmond.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE COMMUNITY OF REDMOND
The Friends of the Redmond Library raises funds through many volunteer activities. Among these are the FORL Bookstore, monthly art exhibitions, Redmond FORL’s annual BE a PART of the ART fundraiser, and through donations from the citizens of Redmond.
The Friends of the Redmond Library put out the following announcement regarding this controversy:
“Most of these funds are already channeled to the DPL. However, the means and amount are presently determined by the Friends of the Redmond Library. FORL funds go to support early childhood literacy, teen and young adult programs, the Fourth Grade Writing Contest, the annual Redmond High School Art Exhibition and the Baby Bag program at St. Charles Hospital in Redmond.
“The DPL is now telling us that we can no longer make our own decisions on where to use the funds we raise. Therefore, we can no longer guarantee that monies raised in Redmond will go to support programs in Redmond.
“The Volunteers and Members of the Friends of the Redmond Library think this is WRONG!”
The citizens of Redmond and all interested parties are invited to attend a Community Meeting to discuss how to respond to the DPL’s plan. The Community Meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 5:45pm in the Community Room located at Ray’s Food Place Market, 900 SW 23rd Street in Redmond. All are invited to participate in this important gathering.
For more information about the Friends of the Redmond Library or about the relationship between the Friends organizations and the Deschutes Public Library, contact Michael Bell, FORL President at 541.604.1192 or bellmikefol@yahoo.com and/or Shandel Gamer, FORL Art Committee Chair at 541.526.5073 or sgamer1955@gmail.com.
