FUNDING PIONEERS  A new alliance bodes well for future gains at the Invermere Public Library. From left to right: Foundation chair Roberta Hall, Friends president Lynda Tutty, Pat Conway, Joan Rouse, library board member Tom Symington, and Nancy Ballard. Photo by Erin Knutson

FUNDING PIONEERS A new alliance bodes well for future gains at the Invermere Public Library. From left to right: Foundation chair Roberta Hall, Friends president Lynda Tutty, Pat Conway, Joan Rouse, library board member Tom Symington, and Nancy Ballard. Photo by Erin Knutson

By Erin Knutson

Special to the Pioneer

A binding agreement between the Friends of Invermere Public Library and the Columbia Valley Community Foundation was successfully completed to launch the first-ever Invermere Public Library Endowment Fund on Wednesday, September 3rd at Pynelogs.

Were so excited about this initiative, said Tom Symington, a member of the Invermere Public Library Board, who initiated the establishment of an endowment fund with the assistance of the Friends.

The Friends of the Invermere Public Library are a group of people dedicated to enhancing and preserving the librarys programs and its collections. The registered charitys mission statement is to facilitate the increased usage of library facilities, while promoting sponsorships, gifts and endowments. They behave as ambassadors of the library and act as a mediator between the library board and other community groups.

The fund will be housed under the umbrella of the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, one of 191 community foundations across Canada. The Foundation was created by community donors committed to legacy building in the valleys communities.

From its conception in 2001, the Foundation in conjunction with its donors has approved and distributed $322,000 in monetary grants to recipients ranging from groups enhancing community facilities to organizations devoted to arts and culture, the environment, literacy, education, families, and recreation, and to students for post-secondary studies or training.

The Columbia Valley Community Foundation will officiate the agreement of the Invermere Public Library Endowment Fund, which stipulates that the annual interest generated in its name will be channeled into the Invermere Public Library through Friends of the Invermere Public Library.

The fund was established with contributions from Columbia Valley bibliophiles and library supporters (permanent and seasonal patrons, volunteers, friends, past and present board members, and staff) who value the vital role the library has played and continues to play in our valley-wide community, said Lynda Tutty, Friends of the Library President, in a statement.

Current and retired Library Board members, library staff members and Friends of the Library will continue to generate funds and contributions as they see fit.

This is the first designated fund established with the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, said Mr. Symington. Once the minimum amount of $5,000 has been reached, annual interest from the fund will go to the Friends of the Library to be used for library programs and the preservation and enhancement of its collection.

Library supporters who value the role the library plays in the community are invited to contribute to the endowment fund. Donations may be sent to the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, stipulating the Invermere Public Library Endowment Fund, at Box 991, Invermere BC V0A 1K0 or online at www.valleyfoundation.ca.

For more information, please contact Lynda Tutty, Friends of the Library President, at 250-341-3185.