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Makerspace donations, volunteer work and naming proposals advance at St. Helens library
Summary
Board members reported incoming fundraising and in-kind support for a makerspace and discussed new shelving for local history, volunteer cataloging, and a request to propose names for the local history reading room.
St. Helens — The St. Helens library board on May 12 heard updates that library volunteers and local groups are contributing cash and in-kind services for the library’s makerspace and local-history shelving, and the board asked for proposed names to refer to city council for formal approval.
Why it matters: board and staff said the makerspace is growing and that donor and volunteer support is accelerating improvements while staff manage cataloging and program expansion.
Fundraising and donations Board member Jay told the board his outreach to local groups produced two pledges "for 750 and 250," and that he and his wife plan to add $500 in a private donation. "So I'm, like, expecting a check for a thousand dollars, shortly," he said, adding that he and his wife will contribute to bring the total to $1,500.
Tax and receipting guidance Library staff advised that donations made directly to the city are not tax deductible and that donors who wish a charitable deduction can instead give to the Friends of the Library, which can pass funds through to the city. As staff put it, "It it is not deductible if they make the gift directly to the city." Board members and staff said they would follow up so donors understand the process.
In-kind support and makerspace improvements Staff and volunteers reported in-kind commitments from vendors for flooring and plumbing and volunteer labor to organize tools and supplies. Library staff described new flooring, lighting improvements and relocated makerspace equipment (a Cricut and T-shirt press were cited) as items already moved or planned. Volunteers and staff have cataloged and prepared donated local-history shelving and are working through records: items with ISBNs were quicker to add to the catalog, while older local-history materials require more detailed MARC-style cataloging.
Local history room naming The board discussed naming the Local History Reading Room (and possibly the makerspace) and asked for volunteers to develop a short list of names to bring back next month for a vote and referral to city council. One board member suggested a name linked to a Nobel Prize winner as an example; staff reminded the board that council approval is required.
Quotations "It it is not deductible if they make the gift directly to the city," a library staff member advised about tax treatment for donations.
What’s next Staff said they will follow up with donors on the receipting approach, continue cataloging donated local-history items in the weeks before summer programming, and bring draft name proposals for the Local History Reading Room to the board at the next meeting for a vote and referral to city council.
