State library funding was cut by 43%, a reduction of $6.1 million dollars. Although a restoration of $4.3 million of the proposed $10.4 million cut, this mixed result results in a halving of our per capita state aid to libraries and the consolidation of four regional networks into one. Crucially, sufficient money was restored for the state to receive $6.6 million in federal and Gates Foundation grants. This in no way restores the state aid lost.
Please go to www.savemynjlibrary.org to find out more about the state of libraries in NJ.
The Friends of the Madison Public Library in cooperation with the Madison Rotary Club and the Madison Area YMCA announce the fundraiser Touch-A-Truck for 2012, featuring trucks to touch, climb on, and take pictures alongside. 
Welcome to the Friends of the Madison Public Library
The Friends of the Madison Public Library (FMPL) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to contributing to the outstanding services provided by the library through volunteer support and supplemental funding for special programming and expanding the collection. Money raised by Friends through our Annual March Gala, Touch a Truck and our Annual Appeal allows the library to provide additional programming that it would otherwise be unable to afford through state and local government contributions alone. The Friends present quarterly gifts to the library where the primary beneficiaries are the children’s programs and the book and media collections. Thank you to the hundreds of families and business in our community that contribute to Friends!
JOIN THE FRIENDS MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE
The Friends of the Madison Public Library (Friends or FMPL) are reaching out to all Madisonians to ask for your help in our mission of supporting the Madison Public Library. Since 1938, the Friends have provided the Library with volunteers, advocacy and funding for new acquisitions for the collection, programs and technology. You may be familiar with our fundraising endeavors such as the popular Drew Minicourse Series, the Annual Benefit Gala in March and Touch-A-Truck biannually in August.
Following the tradition of providing ongoing financial support, FMPL is pleased to present a Matching Gift Challenge for you! Several generous residents (see list) have pledged lead donations toward this year’s Annual Appeal. Your gift at any level – $25, $50, $100 or more – through the end of 2011 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $31,000!! Thanks to these donors, you have this special opportunity to double the impact of your dollars!
(more…)