A Fiscal Year Wrap-up
Our fiscal year, July 2025 through June 2026, was highlighted by the successful launch of our Capital Campaign, a fourth successful Pride on the Page author event, a memorable Cocktails on the Page event, excellent Annual Fund and Library Giving Day drives, the addition of talented new Board members, and our participation in a number of special events associated with the renovation of the main Library in Sunrise Park. We also successfully advocated for several important Library causes with City Council.
We were pleased to participate in the library closing celebration, the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the temporary Rimrock location, and the groundbreaking event at the construction site in Sunrise Park. We were also fortunate to have been included in a mid-construction tour of the facility, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to the eventual project completion, anticipated later in this next fiscal year.
Internally, we formed a new Technology Committee to make progress with our systems infrastructure, and a “Big Event” working group to explore the idea of holding a major fundraising event in 2027. We expanded the reach of our Communications Committee, adding a dedicated consultant, and we also stepped up our commitment to advocacy by adding non-board members to the Advocacy Committee as volunteers. Finally, we held a strategic planning session to map out our goals and objectives for the next three years, and we are excited about the direction we have set for ourselves.
I want to again thank the Palm Springs Public Library Trustees for funding our Executive Director compensation, and for their grant to support the formation of a Capital Campaign website and compensation for a part-time PR and Media consultant. Thanks also to the City of Palm Springs for a fourth Pride on the Page grant.
We received generous grants from the Jane Lykken Hoff Endowment at the Inland Empire Community Foundation and the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation. Also received was a generous grant from the Bighorn Cares Foundation for a learn/play structure planned for the Children’s Area of the renovated library. We coupled that grant with one received from the Barker Foundation for the same purpose. Lastly, we received a helpful grant from the Palm Springs Rotary Club. We are extremely grateful for these grants as they enable us to contribute more directly to the Capital Campaign efforts, and to support the operating needs of the Foundation so that we can continue our long-term work. We see it also as a continuing sign of confidence in our direction and efforts.
Going into our new fiscal year, we see opportunities to continue adding Capital Campaign contributions, increasing our participation in social media, and planning a strong set of events.
On a personal note, I stepped down from the role of Board President effective July 1 but will continue on the board for another year as Immediate Past President. As is customary, we held our election of executive officers at our May meeting, and Jim Gray was elected President. Jim ran our Technology Committee and was also a member of our Executive Committee. He will do a great job as President. Joining him on our Executive Committee team are Vice President Betsy Smalley, Treasurer Gary Grace, Secretary Christy Cook, and me. It’s a great group helping Jim guide the Foundation.
-Bill Wylie, PSPLF Immediate Past President
