President’s Message

During our very busy fiscal year, July 2024 through June 2025, we made important advancements in multiple areas supporting our organizational needs to prepare us to raise significant donations for the main Library building renovation project. We formed a Capital Campaign Steering Committee and an affiliated Honorary Committee, initiated a fundraising drive during Library Giving Week, significantly increased our Annual Giving donations, and held successful Pride on the Page and Cocktails on the Page events.

As we tracked the continuing progress of library renovation planning, we successfully advocated for the approval of City Council for the full scope of renovation improvements, approval of floating bond financing and the award of contractor bids. We also participated in a City Council Candidates Forum during the election cycle to promote library support.

We implemented a modified Awareness mini campaign, developed a new “rack card” succinctly stating our mission, and a donation rationale “case statement” for use with prospective major donors. We added a donor recognition section to our website to thank our growing donor numbers. We are a proud recipient of a Jane Lykken Hoff bequest at the Inland Empire Community Foundation which we will apply to the Capital renovation project. We held a series of library tours for neighborhood groups to showcase renovation project improvements generating highly positive feedback and excitement.

Internally, we added board members with significant experience and dedication to our cause. We upgraded our technology capabilities through the formation of a targeted technology working group and expanded our Communications Committee.

We initiated a documents retention project, added a part-time administrative support person, updated our by-laws, established giving levels for donor recognition, extended the contract of Peter Pearson as our part-time Executive Director, and selected a consultant to assist with the Capital Campaign.

Grant support from the Palm Springs Public Library Trustees was once again exceptional as they continue to place their faith in us and our fundraising planning. We are very pleased to report that the Trustees and Foundation reached a Capital Campaign agreement whereby the Trustees will match contributions made to the Campaign up to $1,000,000. This represents a significant, tangible goal for the Foundation to pursue.

We are also very thankful to have received grants from the City of Palm Springs and the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation in support of Pride on the Page.

I would also like to recognize the contributions of Craig Borba who recently stepped down from leading the Palm Springs Public Library Trustees. Craig was a great supporter of the Library and of the Foundation and we will miss working with him.

Going into our next fiscal year, we will continue to plan for Capital Campaign donation solicitation and special events supporting our cause. We feel strongly that the generous spirit of Palm Springs residents and visitors will be strikingly evident as we move through the fall and winter seasons. Our job will be to harness that generosity and direct it to the Capital Campaign in support of the renovation and a long-term endowment.

The Library building will be closing in August and relocating to temporary quarters. All of us are very excited about the prospect of the reimagining work to begin in earnest.

-Bill Wylie, Board President