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Established in 1994...                                                     

The Atlantic County Library Foundation was established by people who feel that libraries represent an essential service in our community. By joining the Foundation, you help support the Atlantic County Library System in its efforts to provide the public with everything from books to videos, to computer databases and children's programs, to everything else it does.

The Foundation raises and administers funds to enhance and expand the resources of the Atlantic County Library System, and bring a high level of visability to the services of the public library.

The Atlantic County Library has been serving residents and visitors since 1925. In its beginnings, the library operated strictly as a bookmobile. By 1939, the bookmobile served over 70 area schools, with an annual circulation of 32,000 books.

Today, the system includes nine branch libraries with an annual circulation over 800,000. No longer just books, today's library collection includes compact discs, cassettes, DVD's, videocassettes, and over 500 magazines. Free internet access is available in all branches.

We raise funds through various fundraising endeavors, such as memberships, book sales, and public appeals. The funds help provide services to the public, fund programs in the library system, and help for students pursuing library service as a profession.

The Atlantic County Library Foundation strives to enhance library resources, services, programs, and facilities. It promotes the Atlantic County Library System as a unique educational, informational and recreational focal point for our community. The Foundation is dedicated to developing an endowment fund and to soliciting the donation of resources to supplement and expand the materials provided by the public libraries. A carefully developed and approved investment policy guides the Board's financial decisions.

The Foundation's endowment-based donor program has raised substantial funds which earn interest to purchase much-needed resources and for projects such as the library's "First Grade . . . First steps start at the library" backpack program. The future calls for a continued effort to raise funds, a challenge the Library Foundation takes on with pride and enthusiasm. Through a variety of activities, the Foundation works year-round to acquaint the community with its efforts and to encourage contributions.

The Board of Directors, made up of volunteers representing many interests in the community, meets regularly to discuss Foundation efforts and activities, to continue investment planning, and to hear updates on library needs.