Dear Friends,

$692.00. Yes, I said $692.00! Have you ever given thought to what the Library means to you? Or to what the value of the Library would mean to you if you used it exclusively instead of subscribing to your own newspapers, magazines or buying your own books?

Since we are planning for the 2010 Membership Drive, I decided to do exactly that. How valuable is my Library to me? How valuable is it to the average patron? How valuable is it to you? Obviously, it will vary based on your usage, but the dollar amount can be surprising. And, with current Library usage up at least 10% based on the economy, it becomes an even more important number.

So, if I had to rely exclusively on the Library, (assuming Bernie Madoff took all my retirement funds), I did some quick calculations.

We subscribe to two newspapers, Jacksonville Times-Union and the News Journal. Subscription cost: $260/yr. I subscribe to 4 magazines (Taste of Home, Simple & Delicious, Southern Living and Bon Appetit  cost, $90/yr.); fortunately, my brother gives me Montana magazine as a gift. And, yes, I do read both newspapers daily as well as each magazine – sometimes over and over again while menu planning.

From January to June, I have read 32 books – not a lot compared to some people I know, but a lot compared to others. Assuming I did not buy those books at one of our Book Sales or in the Book Shoppe and, assuming I did not check them out at the Library, I calculated what it would cost me if I had purchased every one of them. And, believe me when I tell you my husband will argue that in deed I did PURCHASE each one! Not true! I adjusted the numbers and assumed 24 paperbacks per year. At 7.99/book = $192.00. I assumed 6 best sellers per year. At $25.00/book = $150.00.

Bottom line, if I only shopped at the Library, I would save $692.00 per year! That doesn’t include my share of the $30,000 plus, that the FOL spend annually on free Library programs. And, that doesn’t include the additional bargains I might find at my fingertips or additional magazines I might be able to read (if I had time!).

This year when deciding on your donation or membership to the Friends, take some time to calculate how valuable your membership is: to you, the community and to so many other people and families that visit the Library daily. I do subscribe to the paper; lots of people can’t. I do buy some books, especially those I want in my collection or for programs; and, I borrow others. Some people just borrow books from the Library. Some people attend movies, plays at Flagler Auditorium, theatres in Daytona Beach, Jacksonville or Orlando. Some can’t. Instead, they come to the Library. I haven’t even attempted to put a price on that! Yet, we continue to provide Carnegie Hall quality entertainment for everyone!

So, whether it is your $10.00 individual donation, your $500 (or more) Curator donation, or a Corporate sponsorship, for someone like me, you are offering a $692.00 reading, learning, dining, travel, movie or musical entertainment Library experience! Just think about what that donation means to someone else! Talk about money well spent! Thank you, thank you!

 Look at the Friends of the Library Support Activities.  This is a never ending task.

Sincerely,

Terry Jones President

7/15/09

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES