News
President’s Message – Annual Review
August 27, 2023
Our fiscal year ’22-23 was highlighted by strategic internal growth, reaching an important agreement with the City of Palm Springs, and real progress on the part of the Library, Trustees and City towards the renovation of the main library building.
One of our strategic imperatives, established in the previous fiscal year, was to increase our Board membership. We have been successful in that regard and now count 22 individuals who are focused on the financial advancement of the library and collectively provide the Board with talent, experience and commitment. We are fortunate to be able to count on each of them.
Secondly, the Foundation reached a cooperative agreement with the City of Palm Springs creating a platform for the Foundation to raise funds for the main library building renovation. Naming rights, special purpose donations and other key provisions are included in this Memorandum of Understanding.
Third, the Foundation followed the very positive progress the Library staff, Trustees and City Council made during the year in securing initial grants that will jump start the renovation project. The $13 million committed by the State of California and the City Council combined will be used for infrastructure. Jeannie Kays, Library Director, and her staff are to be commended for their successful grant proposals.
The City Council also accepted a proposal from the Library Trustees to expand the scope of the renovation project beyond the infrastructure commitments. The investment needed to meet this expanded scope is central to the mission of the Foundation and we intend to raise relevant funds through our fundraising efforts in the near term.
I was privileged to have participated on the committee reviewing responses to the City’s request for qualifications to select an architectural firm to prepare a scope of work and renderings for the project. The City has not yet announced the contract award, but from the finalists identified I am convinced the eventual design and renovation will be exceptional and worthy of the Palm Springs community.
I would like to extend my thanks and recognition to Ed McBride who has been a tireless champion of the Palm Springs Public Library and an unceasing advocate of the renovation project. Ed served on the Foundation board in our early years and importantly, as a Trustee of the Public Library. We would not be where we are today without his significant contributions.
Lastly, I want to express sincere appreciation on behalf of the Foundation Board members to our donors, both previous and future, who continue to understand how important the library is to our Palm Springs community and who make an effort to support the long-term goals of this important institution.
David Sidley
President – PS Public Library Foundation
August 2023