Franklin library board and foundation formalize collaboration as budget shows 10% gap

The Franklin Public Library Board of Trustees and the Franklin Public Library Foundation met June 16 to formalize a plan for closer collaboration on fundraising and outreach while reviewing the library’s 2025–2029 strategic plan and the system’s 2025 budget.

Maria Impe, a member of the library board who served as acting president for the meeting, said the joint session was intended to “make this official and and moving forward with this,” describing the new collaboration with the foundation as a listed objective in the strategic plan.

The discussion centered on three linked topics: how the foundation can align fundraising to the library’s written goals; a calendar of regular fundraisers and recent results; and the library’s fiscal picture for 2025. Alan Alexandrovich, treasurer of the library board, presented the budget summary, saying, “Total revenues is $1,550,700.” He later summarized the overall appropriations and the shortfall: “So the total appropriations, 1,712,748, is a 110.44% of the revenue. So we've already identified we're gonna overspend by 10.44%."

Why it matters: the board’s strategic plan (2025–2029) identifies community focus, communication, library services and facility, and operational alignment as core goals and explicitly lists collaboration with the foundation among first-year activities. Library leaders and foundation members agreed that aligning fundraising to those goals — including a “wish list” of large items — would help the library secure resources the operating budget does not cover.

Fundraising and outreach: the foundation outlined a recurring fundraising calendar the board can expect to support. Key items discussed included a fall literary event (Sept. 25, featuring author Nick Petrie), a January–March calendar raffle, a holiday rummage sale (the first-year sale brought in about $6,000), and a holiday bake sale set for Dec. 13. The foundation said it will continue on-site efforts such as selling Stone Creek Coffee and pursuing sponsorships and Facebook boosts to draw attendees from outside Franklin.

Foundation members and board trustees discussed developing a tiered “wish list” for corporate and foundation outreach so prospective donors can be presented with concrete naming or sponsorship opportunities. The group also discussed expanding legacy and sustaining-donor programs: the meeting noted there are currently three sustaining members and that recurring giving is available via PayPal. Board members suggested outreach to new employers moving to Franklin to promote volunteer days, employee giving, and potential sponsorships.

Incoming business outreach: foundation and board members flagged the arrival of Yaskawa’s North and Central American operations as an outreach opportunity. Foundation members suggested informal introductions and orientation programming for new employees and families so the library can promote services and, later, seek sponsorships. The suggestion included potentially coordinating with city promotional materials.

Budget details and limits: Alexandrovich walked through major budget categories and percentages: personnel costs constitute the majority of library spending (about 76.88% of revenue), facility charges totaled about $197,423 (12.73%), contractual services were approximately $49,083 (3.16%), supplies roughly $32,550 (2.9%), and service-and-charges items about $96,205 (6.2%). Capital outlay plans listed roughly $145,137 (9.35% of budget) for materials and a planned $40,000 for computer equipment. The treasurer also identified that the library operates two internal funds (Fund 15 and Fund 16), with Fund 16 showing estimated 2025 revenue and appropriations of $60,890.

Division of responsibilities: several speakers emphasized limits on the foundation’s role. “It’s not the foundation’s duty to finance the library,” Barbara Wazner, president of the Franklin Public Library Foundation, said, adding that the foundation exists to fund “extras” the operating budget typically does not cover — examples cited included outdoor patio furniture (about $8,000) and computer purchases.

Next steps and volunteer needs: the meeting produced informal direction rather than formal votes. Foundation members asked library staff to compile and share a prioritized wish list and clearer dollar targets the foundation can use in outreach. Board members asked the foundation to expand volunteer recruitment for fall events and to explore legacy-gift forms and sustaining-member incentives (for example, small “thank you” items or an annual reception). Staff confirmed they will make lists available — including children’s-area needs — and to follow up on marketing and volunteer requests.

Formal action: the meeting adjourned by voice vote; there were no formal votes on policy changes or budget adjustments during this session.

What’s next: the library board will continue monthly budget reviews; foundation and board liaisons will coordinate on a wish list and outreach plan to present at future meetings. The joint meeting emphasized aligning the foundation’s fundraising calendar and corporate outreach with the library’s written priorities to fill gaps the operating budget is not designed to cover.