FY20 DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Free Library of Philadelphia

FY20DEVELOPMENT

REPORT

FREE L IBRARY OF PHILAD E LP HIA FOU N DATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from Board of Directors Chair Barbara Sutherland • Message from Interim Director Leslie Walker• Looking Back: A Year in Review• Fundraising Achievements• Leadership • Honor Roll of Donors• Devoted Volunteers• Meeting the Moment

M E S S AG E F R O M B A R B A R A S U T H E R L A N D, C H A I R ,

B OA R D O F D I R EC TO R S , F R E E L I B R A RY O F P H I L A D E L P H I A FO U N DAT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

M E S S AG E F R O M L E S L I E WA L K E R , I N T E R I M D I R EC TO R ,

F R E E L I B R A RY O F P H I L A D E L P H I A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

LO O K I N G B AC K : A Y E A R I N R E V I E W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

F U N D R A I S I N G AC H I E V E M E N T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

L E A D E R S H I P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

M I R I A M S P EC TO R E N D OW M E N T FO R T H E H U M A N I T I E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

S U P P O RT I N G T H E F R E E L I B R A RY O F P H I L A D E L P H I A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

D E VOT E D VO LU N T E E R S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

M E E T I N G T H E M O M E N T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

WHAT’SINSIDE

GREETINGS FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA SUPPORTERS,

YOU, THE DONORS, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH OF THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA, AND FOR THIS YOU SHOULD BE PROUD. Hand in hand with the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, you have helped us build a dynamic library system for Philadelphia. We thank you for your continued support and dedication.

As with any institution, the Free Library is not without its challenges, and we are on a journey of healing and growth to become better versions of ourselves. We are committed to meeting the needs and wants of the Library staff and the Library community.

In the first half of fiscal year 2020, your support helped power critical in-person programs. Young learners, their families, and educators were supported in growing numbers through our Literacy in Early Spaces Program and our delivery of 25,000 books to children across the city. More than 80 programs were offered monthly to teens in the Field Teen Center. Our system-wide Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) grew 35% from September 2019 through February 2020, alone. We served more than 3.6 million visitors in our libraries, powered by our incredible staff and nearly 8,000 volunteers. Then, earlier this year, as our city experienced the effects of a global health pandemic and faced a reckoning with systemic racism, we paused. Then we pivoted.

When the Free Library was forced to close to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March, our staff adapted quickly to meet the needs of our many neighborhoods in dynamic and thoughtful ways. The monumental shift to virtual services included not only the live-streaming of our popular storytimes and cooking tutorial programs, but also included organizing virtual programs that responded directly to the crisis. In partnership with the Urban Affairs Coalition, we offered a series of financial empowerment workshops along with workshops on landlord-tenant disputes with Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. We also understood virtual services are not accessible to all, so we creatively partnered with PhillyCAM to broadcast recorded programs on the public access television channel. We were able to be responsive during such an unprecedented time because of you and the work of the Foundation. We thank you.

The Library’s strength is our far-reaching presence. We continue to centralize key resources while making sure that libraries in every neighborhood are serving many communities and are a part of the equity delivery system. And while we have created innovative ways to expand our presence, we are looking forward to opening our doors in each neighborhood once again to discover the next chapter in our service to the people of Philadelphia.

Warmly,

Leslie M. Walker INTERIM DIRECTOR FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA

DEAR FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA SUPPORTERS,

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ONE OF EXTREME CHANGE FOR PHILADELPHIA, AND THE COUNTRY. One can argue that our institutions were long overdue for some disruption, while also arguing that those key fixtures of our community are needed more than ever.

The Free Library of Philadelphia is one of the most important educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia. Since 2012, I have proudly served as a member of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation Board of Directors, and I have spent the last two years as Chair. My colleagues on the board are committed to ensuring that our Free Library is the strongest asset it can be for the Library’s staff, for the neighborhoods that the Library system serves, and for our city as a whole. Our libraries matter, and we know that you agree.

Where many see the challenges of 2020, the Free Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation continue to see opportunity. The City of Philadelphia provides public funds for the operations of the Free Library, but it is through the generosity of private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations that the Free Library Foundation is able to enhance the Library’s ability to be nimble and innovative. Many of the Library’s transformative programs and activities that advance literacy, guide learning, inspire curiosity throughout the region, and help deliver on the promise of an equitable future for all of Philadelphia’s children, families, and communities, are made possible by your support.

In 2020, the importance of our Library system and our greatest areas of impact—literacy, digital literacy, workforce development, and cultural and civic engagement—have never been more evident. It is because of your support that the Library has been able to produce these programs through a lens of inclusion and with a commitment to ensuring every Philadelphian has access to the tools and resources needed to thrive.

As we look back on the successes of our last fiscal year (and there are many!), we join you in looking towards a future in which we continue the work of supporting a just and inclusive library system for all Philadelphians. We celebrate our wins and we thank you for your continued support, but we know that this is not a time for business as usual. With you working alongside us, we have the opportunity to rethink how we serve the Library community. The Foundation and its Board are committed to meeting this moment with optimism and action.

Thank you for your generous support. Together we will strive to guide the way to a brighter future for all Philadelphians.

In hope and with deepest thanks,

Barbara Sutherland CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION

MESSAGE FROM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR

MESSAGE FROM

INTERIM DIRECTOR

2 FY20 DEVE LOPME NT R E PORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 3

LOOKINGBACK:

A YEARIN REVIEW

4 FY20 DEV E LOPME NT R E PORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 5

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, IN FISCAL YEAR 2020, THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA . . .

Counted

840,052 cardholders

Welcomed more than

3,620,878 million in-person visits

to our 54 locations from July 1, 2019, through March 16, 2020, and

over 6 million more to our collections and

resources online.

Welcomed

3,615 teensto a total of

270 onsite and virtual programs.

The Marie and Joseph Field Teen Center offered more than 80 programs each month to an average of 1,200 teens.

Welcomed

92,537 student visitson site through March 2020 in the Literacy Enrichment

Afterschool Program (LEAP) and

hired more than 130 teens as mentors and tutors,

who gained valuable work experience and provided support to youth during

COVID-19 through online learning, personalized mentoring, and homework

help. The Free Library was included in a city-wide trend of increased teen

programming; we offered

961 programsthis year for teens!

Expanded community efforts to advance early

childhood literacythrough Literacy in Early

Learning Spaces, generously supported by Vanguard Strong

Start for Kids Program™.

Offered

57 programs in the BRIC Workplace,

including résumé review and free professional headshots, and connected

850 job seekersfrom all walks of life to prospective

employers at job fairs sponsored by Citizens Bank.

Installed

a new lift at the Philadelphia City Institute Library (PCI)

in Rittenhouse Square.The lift will permit patrons in

wheelchairs or on walkers, toddlers in strollers, and anyone unable to navigate the stairway to reach the

Children’s Department and Meeting Room located on the lower level of the

library. Kudos to the PCI Friends for leading the fundraising effort and to

the many generous donors who made the dream a reality.

Hosted 7,951 volunteers at 41 libraries,

who provided Philadelphians with language assistance by acting as English Language

Facilitators, assisted elders with computer support, shelved materials,

and cared for our grounds. Our volunteer docents who

give tours of Parkway Central Library six days a week won the

Best of Philadelphia Cultural Tour Award

from Philadelphia Magazine.

LOOKINGBACK:

A YEARIN REVIEW

6 FY20 DEVE LOPME NT R E PORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 7

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, IN FISCAL YEAR 2020, THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA . . .

Held

135 One Book, One Philadelphia events

attended by over

3,000 peopleacross the city to explore Pulitzer

Prize finalist There There by Tommy Orange. This year’s program began

with a kickoff event featuring a performance by the Red Blanket Singers, a Southern Style Native

American Drum and Dance Group, representing the Nanticoke, Lenape, Haliwa-Saponi, and Mohawk tribes,

and an original work by Curtis Institute of Music composer Elise Arancio, both performed before capacity crowds at

Parkway Central Library.

Celebrated the discovery of a

Shakespeare First Foliohoused in the Free Library of

Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department that is believed to have belonged

to English poet John Milton. Of the 750 First Folios that were originally printed in 1623, only 235 remain,

and the Free Library’s is

one of about 40 complete copies in the world.

Hosted

283 events, online and in-person,

with the Languages and Learning Center.

The Free Library began planning a system-wide standardized digital literacy curriculum,

sponsored by Comcast, as well as implementing online HiSET, GED,

Work Readiness, and computer and financial literacy courses.

Distributed

approximately 25,000 books

to children across the city in June through Read by 4th partners.

Read by 4th also celebrated the launch of ReadingPromise.org to

increase accessibility to resources and information.

Held

370 Culinary Literacy Center events

attended by

6,871 peopleand enrolled an additional

9,786 individuals

in our online programs. The Free Library celebrated the expansion of Nourishing Literacy, Cooking with Confidence, and Edible Alphabet to our Neighborhood Libraries, using

“Kitchen in a Box” and “Culinary Literacy Carts” to reach more learners.

Invited families and children to

34 family literacy eventsand supplied early childhood classroom libraries with over

3,000 booksto create brand-new classroom libraries.

Partnered with

31 childcare centers and 98 infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms

to provide

200 teachersserving children from birth to

5 years of age with

16 professional development workshops

in the Literacy in Early Learning Spaces program sponsored

by Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™.

The following figures reflect all non-campaign gifts and pledges made to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation during fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020).

TOTAL FY20 DONORS

7,017TOTAL FY20 GIFTS

10,223TOTAL FY20 DOLLARS

$8,520,778

FUNDRAISINGACHIEVEMENTS

8 FY20 DEV E LOPME NT R E PORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 9

WHERE SUPPORT

COMES FROM

42% INDIVIDUALS $3,580,265

39% FOUNDATIONS $3,379,056

16% CORPORATIONS $1,369,671

2% OTHER ORGANIZATIONS $147,786

1% GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC ENTITIES $44,000

38% LITERACY PROGRAMMING $3,273,954

34% UNRESTRICTED $2,913,132

11% CULTURAL AND CIVIC PROGRAMS $924,714

7% ENDOWMENT $586,745

3% WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT $252,760

2% CAPITAL PROJECTS $184,636

2% OTHER $131,768

2% COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES $128,937

1% NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARIES $124,132

HOWSUPPORT

ISAPPLIED

FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS

FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIABOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

Barbara Sutherland, ChairD. Jeffry Benoliel, First Vice ChairMarsha Perelman, Second Vice ChairHonorable Pamela Dembe, Vice Chair, Ex-OfficioRich Greenawalt, Secretary Jay L. Weinstein, TreasurerSiobhan A. Reardon, Past President and Director**

MEMBERS

Robert AdelsonCynthia H. AffleckCarol BanfordHonorable Phyllis W. Beck (ret.)James J. BilesSheldon M. BonovitzBenito Cachinero-Sánchez Lynn CharytanJeffrey CooperGeorge S. DayTobey Gordon DichterAndrea Ehrlich Donna Gerson Melissa GrimmJanet HaasPekka HakkarainenRobert C. Heim

John ImbesiMichael A. InnocenzoPhilip JaurigueGeoffrey KentEugene Bourne LeFevreStephanie W. NaidoffPeter D. NallePatrick M. OatesFolasade A. Olanipekun-LewisMarsha PerelmanWilliam R. SassoSusan G. SmithLenore SteinerShelley StewartLarry Weiss

EMERITUS

James AverillPeter A. BenolielMarie FieldElizabeth H. GemmillW. Wilson Goode Sr.Daniel GordonAlexander KerrLeslie Anne MillerA. Morris Williams, Jr.

OFFICERS

Honorable Pamela Dembe, ChairDonna Allie, Vice ChairJohn J. Soroko, Vice Chair Barbara Sutherland, Vice Chair, Ex-OfficioDonald Generals, SecretaryFolasade A. Olanipekun-Lewis, TreasurerSiobhan A. Reardon, Past President and Director**

MEMBERS

Christopher ArleneJenée Chizick-AgüeroJeffrey CooperMichael DiBerardinisTobey Gordon Dichter

Robert C. HeimH.W. Jerome MaddoxKathryn Ott LovellMustafa RashedSonia SanchezSuzanne SimonsJoseph W. St. GemeElaine TomlinNicholas D. Torres

EMERITUS

Gloria Twine ChisumW. Wilson Goode, Sr.Herman MattlemanM. Teresa Sarmina

* deceased** After more than 12 years of service, Siobhan A. Reardon left the Free Library in July 2020.

10 FY20 DE V E LOPME NT R E PORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 11

LEADERSHIP


MIRIAM SPECTOR

ENDOWMENT FOR THE

HUMANITIES

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation sincerely thanks the following donors who have contributed to the Miriam Spector Endowment for the Humanities.

Janet and Jim AverillOtto Haas Charitable Trust,

recommended by Janet and John HaasRobert and Eileen Kennedy HeimArthur SpectorLenore Steiner and Perry LernerBarbara and Fred Sutherland

The National Endowment for the Humanities through a generous grant that matched contributions made for the purpose of establishing this Endowment.

1919 Investment CouncilRobert L. Abramowitz and Susan StewartMarcia and Richard AbtMarta and Bob AdelsonSusanna Lachs Adler and Dean AdlerCindy and John Affleck Rosalie AlexanderRebecca Alexrod-CooperCharna and Bart* AxelrodDavid AxelrodCarole and Arnold BailisEileen BairdClaudia and Richard BalderstonCarol and Winston BanfordBonnie BarnesSally and Morris BarronSheila and Myron BassmanKelsey Scouten Bates and Glenn BatesMila BeckerJeremy Ben-AmiKerry BenderPeter A. Benoliel and Willo CareyHeather and Robert BlainLaura BoydstonAmy Branch and Jeff Benoliel

Staci BrillSophie and Edwin BronsteinGretchen and Stephen BurkeMonica CahillCalderwood GalleryElaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, JrBarbara and Nicholas CarperDeborah ChongEllen and Winston ChurchillIlene CohenMichael CoslovEleanor and Harold* DavisEllen and Peter DavisMark DavisPamela and David DembeLeslie and Mark DeNinoTobey and Mark DichterMaggie DingerBetty and Barry DiznoffDolfinger-McMahon FoundationDerick Dreher and Gudrun DaunerBarbara Eberlein and Jerry WindAlexandra Edsall and Robert VictorAmy and Steven ErlbaumLisa ErlbaumSteven FagellSharon FalkinAmy L. Finkel and Richard J. BraemerEnid FisherJudy and Allen FreedmanDawn and Stephen FriedmanDonna L. and David A. GersonSheila and Henry GladstoneMaxine and Jay GoldbergThe Gordon Charter FoundationSusan and Richard GouldFlorence and Daniel GreenPeggy and Rich Greenawalt

THE MIRIAM SPECTOR ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES WAS ESTABLISHED TO HONOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE DEDICATION AND YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA ARE UNPARALLELED.Miriam believed strongly in the transformative impact that libraries can have within the communities they serve. Based on this conviction and her professional training, she became a dedicated leader and passionate advocate for Philadelphia’s public library system. She served for many years as a much-loved Vice Chair and member of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation Board of Directors and was a cheerleader for and trusted colleague of countless staff members and volunteers.

The two things that Miriam most forcefully advocated for were the importance of creating endowed funds to undergird the Library’s most meaningful programs and services and the need to maintain laser focus on the well-being of our neighborhood libraries. The Miriam Spector Endowment for the Humanities will allow neighborhood librarians to offer special programs organized around humanities disciplines that respond to the unique needs of their neighborhoods.

“The Miriam Spector Endowment for the Humanities will have a momentous impact on the Free Library of Philadelphia. By providing enduring, significant support for humanities programs in neighborhood libraries, this endowment will fill library spaces with dance, poetry, exhibitions, discussion, inquiry, and collaborative learning.

Miriam possessed a wide-ranging curiosity about what makes us human, and she cared deeply about our neighborhood libraries. I could not imagine a more fitting tribute to her than a permanent fund that will make accessible to all Philadelphians a broad array of humanities programs that celebrate the assets of our communities.”

- ANDREW NURKIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ENRICHMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

MIRIAM SPECTOR

ENDOWMENT FOR THE

HUMANITIES


Melissa B. Greenberg and Peter BadgioCarol and Earle HalsbandBeth HareLinda HartIngrid HeimNeil HellerSandra HorrocksMargot and Ellis HorwitzIndependence FoundationSusan O. W. JaffeRobert JenkensJewish Communal FundMark JuelisAndy KahanPatrick KaserLouis KatznerJay KellermanJohn KenneyMargaret W. and Alexander KerrSheila G. KligerPhil KornbluthBarbara S. M. KretchmarRuth and Peter LaibsonWilliam LandmanLegg Mason Real Estate Services, Inc.Linda and Stuart LeibowitzOri LevMariyn LevineChristian R. and Mary F. Lindback FoundationCarol LipskyCarol and Aaron MackMarian MalaskyJoseph M. MankoKaren MaraStephen MarcusJanice K. and Joseph MariniConstance MaxThe Leslie Miller and Richard Worley FoundationMelvin MillerDiane and Peter NachtweyStephanie and Michael NaidoffEleanor and Peter D. NalleJudy and Bud NewmanMark Patten

Shara and William PollieLaura PollockSiobhan and James ReardonBobbi ReitzesResolute ManagersKatie Rhodes Vilma RodgersAlison Rogers-McCoyThe Rogovin FundEileen RosenauSue and Bud RubelRonald RumfordLinda and Charles SchelkeLisa and Douglas SchoenbergPamela L. SchreiberTheresa and Joseph ScornavacchiCraig ScottSarit ScottEllen and Robert SeltzerLiza and Jonathan SeltzerLou ShaneMarjorie K. ShiekmanKaren Poul and Jon C. SirlinDolores and Stephen SmithSaraKay and Stanton SmullensTema SokoloffCarole A. Solomon and Charles TapieroSylvia and Adam SpectorEugene SpectorRobin Halsband and Jeremy SpectorSpector Gadon Rosen Vinci P.C.Betty and Harmon SpolanDeanna and Steven TaubmanMark TodaroPeggy Wachs Family FoundationMarc WalinskyEllen and Bernard WaltersHarriet and Larry WeissWestern Asset Management Company, LLCSusan WilchuskyWilliam Penn FoundationConstance and Sankey WilliamsCarol WilsonLinda and Sam Winn

* deceased

CHAIRMEN’S CIRCLEThe Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations whose lifetime gifts and pledges to the Free Library total $1 million or more.

The Annenberg FoundationThe Arcadia FoundationJanet and Jim AverillPeter A. Benoliel and Willo CareyCity of PhiladelphiaCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaElaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, JrTobey and Mark DichterWilliam B. Dietrich FoundationSally and Dan GordonMarie and Joseph FieldThe Horace W. Goldsmith FoundationPeggy and Rich GreenawaltWyncote Foundation at the

recommendation of Fredrick HaasOtto Haas Charitable Trust

recommended by Janet and John HaasHamilton Family FoundationRobert and Eileen Kennedy HeimNancy and Alan HirsigIndependence FoundationInstitute of Museum and Library ServicesJohn S. and James L. Knight FoundationThe Leslie Miller and Richard Worley FoundationPennsylvania Historical and Museum CommissionThe Pew Charitable TrustsPhiladelphia City Institute Board of ManagersPNC FoundationWilliam H. Shea, Jr.Leon C. Sunstein* Barbara and Fred SutherlandThe Philadelphia FoundationVanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™Wells FargoWilliam Penn FoundationConstance and Sankey Williams

THE GEORGE S. PEPPER SOCIETYThe Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is delighted to recognize the following members of the George S. Pepper Society in fiscal year 2020.

ELKINS CIRCLE $25,000 AND ABOVEMarta and Bob AdelsonCindy and John AffleckJanet and Jim AverillPeter A. Benoliel and Willo CareyJill and Sheldon BonovitzAmy Branch and Jeff BenolielElaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, JrTobey and Mark DichterMarie and Joseph FieldPeggy and Rich GreenawaltOtto Haas Charitable Trust, recommended by Janet

and John HaasRobert and Eileen Kennedy HeimJohn and Patricia Imbesi FoundationJeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joe NeubauerMarsha and Jeffrey PerelmanLenore Steiner and Perry LernerBarbara and Fred SutherlandAnonymous (1)

DICKENS CIRCLE $10,000—$24,999Pam and Tim AllesBarbara B. and Theodore R. AronsonClaudia and Richard BalderstonPhyllis W. and Aaron T. BeckDeborah Boardman and Gene LeFevreLois and Julian BrodskyLucy and Roger CoxPeggy and Mark CurchackAndrea and Alexander EhrlichElizabeth H. GemmillDonna L. and David A. GersonDeborah G. Gorman and

Benito Cachinero-Sánchez Harriet and Bernie GrossSusan and Pekka HakkarainenNancy Klaus and Jeffrey CooperSharon and Joel Koppelman


SUPPORTING THE FREE

LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA

© 2020 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Linda and Thomas McCarthyLaura and Marc McKennaThe Leslie Miller and Richard Worley FoundationNancy PetersmeyerGretchen and Jay RileyJonne and Corey SmithMiriam* and Arthur SpectorAnn and Shelley StewartJanice Volkman in memory of Edward VolkmanJay and Butsie WeinsteinHarriet and Larry WeissConstance and Sankey Williams

POE CIRCLE $5,000—$9,999Sarah and David AndrewsDavid R. and Patricia D. Atkinson FoundationNadine and James BilesMary and James BrownAndrea Commaker and Jim LevinPamela and David DembeKatharine and Graham FinneyAmy A. Fox and Daniel H. WheelerJudith Block GinsbergBarbara and Jerome GlickmanIris Gold and Jeffrey GreensteinSally and Dan GordonMelissa and Charlee GrimmDavid F. HoffmanMichael InnocenzoToba and Lawrence KersonDale and Richard LevyCynthia and Roger LopataFrances G. MartinStephanie Marudas and Dimitri PappasJane R. Mason and Dr. Bernard A. MasonBonnie and Peter McCauslandSusan and Jim MeyerStephanie and Michael NaidoffLinda and Jeffrey NeedlemanZoë S. PappasDebra J. Poul and Leonard P. GoldbergerEileen Rosenau

Michaela and Geoffrey KentJacqueline and Eric KraeutlerSue D. and Reinhard KruseSusanna Lachs and Dean AdlerRuth and Peter LaibsonGloria Hoffman LeibovitzJody and Michael LurieRicki and Alan MandeloffRhonda and James MordyAnn P. and Thomas B.* MorrisPeter and Eleanor NalleNancy and Dean NanceJanet E. Novak and Christopher P. SarnowskiBarbara OldenhoffKimberly C. Oxholm and Carl Oxholm IIIToni and Todd PitockShara and William PollieSiobhan and James ReardonKathryn RhodesSandy and Phil RingoMimi and Richard RobertsonTheresa and John RollinsKatie and Anthony SchaefferBryna and Andrew ScottEileen and Richard SichelKate and Sam SidewaterCookie and Ralph SmithCynthia Solot and Steven D. Handler, M.D.Stacey Leigh Spector and Ira BrindPat and Phil TurbergAlbert C. VaraAmanda West-Habib and Michael Habib Sherley YoungAnonymous (1)

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $1,500–$2,499Lauren Zinn AbelRobert L. Abramowitz and Susan StewartMignon Adams and Martin LaufeValarie J. Allen and H. W. Jerome MaddoxMyrna and Howard AsherElaine Axelman and Jere Eisenstat

Margaret SadlerWilliam R. SassoLinda and Charles SchelkeJulia Scott and Jason RekulakLiza and Jonathan SeltzerSusan G. SmithNancy and Lee TabasPeggy Wachs Family Foundation

BEATRIX POTTER CIRCLE $2,500–$4,999Neysa and Arlin* AdamsDavid and Margaret BalamuthLisa F. Becker and Joseph M. BeckerJoan Stroud BlaineCarolyn Cannuscio and Daniel RaderDouglas E. CarneyNancy and David ColmanHope Comisky and Jeffrey BraffSheila and John ConnorsRebecca L. Craik and Mark HaskinsDiane and Theodore DanoffJudith N. Dean and James D. CrawfordBetsy and Kevin DonohoeBeth Phillips DooneiefMarlene and Brian DoonerPatricia Marie DuganSusanna FooSara W. and Dieter ForsterIrma and Christopher FralicPatsy and Edmund GarnoWendy and Richard GlazerLinda and David GlicksteinMary Gregg and John RyanJacqueline and David GriffithCrystal GurinSusie and Bob HarriesMrs. Robert P. HauptfuhrerKate HollosMary HuguesBarbara Jaffe and Howard LangerChristine KanasArthur M. Kaplan and R. Duane Perry

David Baker and Irene Levy BakerCarol and Winston BanfordLynda BarnessCarol and Horace BarshDiane and Robert BassSylvia Beck and Jay FedermanJames M. BeckerLeslie H. Benoliel and L. Alexander Hamilton, IIISondra Taylor BergeyAllen D. Black and R. Randolph ApgarSally Cooper BleznakRonnie L. Bloom and Richard F. SummersFran Freedman Blum and Jon BlumAlyse and Jim BodineBonnie Brier and Bruce RosenfieldNancy and George BrodieJudy Brown and Cynthia YoutzyMichelle and Wray BroughtonRebecca Bushnell and John TonerHelen and Robert ButtelMary Ellen ByrneGiuliana and Eugenio CalabiRichard and Elise CarrMarie CarrollDeborah and Alan CasnoffCarol and Bruce CaswellLarry Ceisler and Lina Hartocollis

SUPPORTING THE FREE



Polly CohenSarah and Stephen ConnellyJulie ConoverMartha CornogGail CummingsDiane Dalto and Richard E. WoosnamM. M. Dalziel and E. A. RogersEleanor and Harold* DavisAlice and George DayMaude de SchauenseeMarilyn DeutschAnna Maria and Richard DiDioJanet DreherDeborah Lovell Duys and David DuysAlexandra Edsall and Robert VictorKristin EdwardsLaura Efros and Noam KugelmassMary ErsekEvelyn Eskin and Dr. David MajorJean M. FarnsworthJaimie and David FieldAmy FinkelsteinGerry and Marshall FisherGarret FitzGerald

Daphne Klausner and Ron LitmanWendy and Joshua KleinCarol Klein and Lawrence SpitzMelvin KohnNancy KolbDr. and Mrs. Stephen Krauss

in memory of Judith Krauss PlattBarbara S. M. KretchmarGail Loeb Kunreuther and Howard KunreutherAnita Toby LagerJoan Switt LangbordRobert and Mary LawlerPamela D. Laws and Robert I. WhitelawAnne Silvers Lee and Wynn LeeMargery P. LeePeggy and Gary LeimkuhlerJan Levine and Michael ZuckermanSharon F. LevySylvia and Norman LiebermanTod and Sally MacKenziePhyllis and Fred MagazinerElizabeth Burns MahoneyLaura Buck Marshall and Samuel MarshallLynne G. MaxwellPatricia M. McCabeMimi and Jim McKenzieValerie and Joseph E. McPeak, Ph.D.Fran E. Melmed and Robert C. KopfHelen and Tyrone MillerGeoff and Susie MillsEvelyn MinickSandy and Allan MolotskyLinda and Laddie MontagueEdward A. Montgomery, Jr.Kimberly and Tom MoonMartha MooreSusan B. MullerDana NechemiaMaryanne Noel and Philip FriedmanMichael NolanAmy Norr and Jeff MetzSusan OdesseyJulie and Eric Orts

Robert and Penny FoxMichèle Frank and Craig SmithBarbara F. Freed, Ph.D. and Alan J. Mittelman, Esq.Kay and Jim GatelyFlorence GeloBob GelsherAlix Gerz and George Matysik, Jr.Dina GhenTerry GillenSondra GittisBarbara and Stephen GoldBetty GottliebAdele and Bertram* GreenspunLyn and Harry GroomeBonnie Hamilton and Alfred HanssenMary and William HangleyMargaret Harris and Phil StrausLibby S. Harwitz and Burton BlenderCarolyn Hazard and Will W. SachseLynn and Tony* HitschlerRuth and Rick HorowitzHelen and Bryan Horstmann-AllenMargot and Ellis HorwitzJean Hurd and Leon KowalskiMary and Howard HurtigKatherine Huseman and William RichJoann Hyle and Kathryn KolbertValerie Jachimowicz and Bruce AmosLinda J. JacobsenBarry and Carrie JacobsonMr. Philip P. JaurigueAnnabelle JellinekSusan Heyner JoshiLisa Kabnick and John McFaddenThe Honorable Joyce S. Kean and Dr. Herbert KeanCharles KeatesMargot and Robert KeithKate and Peter KelsenAlexandra KendrickMartha and Robert KennedyMichaela and Geoffrey KentMadeleine and Steven KesslerGay and Don Kimelman

Sharyl and George OverhiserNeil A. Oxman, Esq.Justin PaglieiFrank PaivaMeredyth D. Patterson and Timothy B. BarnardValerie D. PearceJane G. PepperNina and Josh PeskinSarah and Michael PetersonMaria Petrillo and Mark MacQueenMarilyn J. PhisterJanine and Paul PollockKaren Poul and Jon C. SirlinBeth ProbinskyHelen and David PudlinEllen M. RavinLouise and Alan* ReedCaro and Bob RockConstance Benoliel Rock and Milton L.* RockCintra and Franklyn RodgersNancy RoeschAnn Rosewater and Robert KronleyCarol Saline and Paul RathblottGayle and Stuart SamuelsTeresa SarminaAdele SchaefferNina Schafer

SUPPORTING THE FREE


20 FY20 DE V E LOPME NT R EPORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 21

SUPPORTING THE FREE


Karyn ScherPamela and Alan* SchreiberGrace Schuler and Thomas TauberEsta and Elias SchwartzDenise ScobeeBob and Didi ScottGail E. SeygalAnita and Amit Shah in honor of Sushila MehtaGina and Stuart ShapiroMarjorie K. ShiekmanJane Shore and Walker Gilmore Claire Shubik-Richards and Seth Richards-ShubikRita and Robert SiegleBart and Sandy SilvermanSuzanne SimonsSaraKay and Stanton SmullensEllen B. SolmsAnn Rosen Spector and Larry H. SpectorEvelyn G. SpritzAnne Saris StevensonGlenna StewartBonnie Stone and Laurence KlugmanLouise and David StrawbridgeJudith TannenbaumRabbi Lynnda and Larry TarganM. Kathryn Taylor and Jonathan H. SprogellMolly Rouse Terlevich and Fabio TerlevichClaudia Tesoro and Richard GreensteinLyn and Ed TettemerLesley TewnionMary Ann ThomasCarol Thomson and Paul WheelingBarrie Trimingham and David PiersonRobert K. UrquhartChris and Lee van de VeldeTeresa Fink and Stephen Varenhorst Kara Chickson Verghese and Subhash VerghesePatricia and Thomas VernonSally Walker and Tom GilmoreKathi WennellDonna and Jeff WhiteBetsy and David WiceSuzan Willcox

Curtis Wilson, Jr.Lisl Zach and Lee MarksAnonymous (4)

AMBASSADOR CIRCLEDonna L. Allie and David RiversChristopher ArleneGloria Twine ChisumJenée Chizick-AgüeroDonald Generals and Joann Gonzalez-Generals The Honorable Rev. Dr. and Mrs. W. Wilson GoodeMargaret W. and Alexander KerrKathryn and Andrew LovellMattleman Family FoundationPaula Navas and Nicholas TorresFolasade A. Olanipekun-LewisMustafa RashedJoan Riley and Michael DiBerardinisSonia B. SanchezCameron and John J. SorokoJoseph W. St. Geme, MDElaine Tomlin


Todd Mason, Halkin Mason Photography

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS UNRESTRICTED

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is pleased to recognize the following generous individuals who made unrestricted gifts and pledges of $1,000 or more to the Free Library during fiscal year 2020.

$25,000 AND ABOVECindy and John AffleckJanet and Jim AverillPeter A. Benoliel and Willo CareyJill and Sheldon BonovitzAmy Branch and Jeff BenolielTobey and Mark DichterPeggy and Rich GreenawaltOtto Haas Charitable Trust, recommended by Janet

and John HaasRobert and Eileen Kennedy HeimBarbara and Fred Sutherland

Roberta and Richard ShellSusan G. SmithAnn and Shelley StewartSusan Thompson and Don MillerPeggy Wachs Family FoundationJay and Butsie Weinstein

$2,500—$4,999Douglas E. CarneyElizabeth and Raymond GrenaldThe Huron FoundationMichael InnocenzoConnie KeithSusan KellyMichaela and Geoffrey KentJonathan PoolJoseph St. GemeSigne Wilkinson and Jon LandauMarcia Witlin-BasickesAnonymous (1)

$1,500—$2,499Judith AdamsJoseph F. Baker and William S. MulherinCarol and Winston BanfordLaurie BeachNancy and Joseph BenfordRachel Blau-DuPlessis and Robert DuPlessisLinda BurkeMarcia and Walter CarpenterNancy CunninghamLisa ErlbaumJulie and Ritson FergusonSara W. and Dieter ForsterEileen GibbonsKatherine Hovde and Kenneth KulakMary A. and Lawrence J. KentSarah Kloss and Hari PalaiyanurMia LevesqueLinda and C.R. LyttleAaron Maass and Ashley Via MaassSuzanne Roberts*Nancy Romankiewicz

$10,000—$24,999Marta and Bob AdelsonAmerisourceBergen CorporationDeborah Boardman and Gene LeFevreElaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, JrLynn CharytanPamela and David DembeAndrea and Alexander EhrlichElizabeth H. GemmillDonna L. and David A. GersonDeborah G. Gorman and Benito Cachinero-SánchezSusan and Pekka HakkarainenNancy Klaus and Jeffrey CooperThe Leslie Miller and Richard Worley FoundationSusan B. MullerChristina and Douglas PappajohnMarsha and Jeffrey PerelmanLenore Steiner and Perry LernerTammy Yan and Timothy GroveAnonymous (1)

$5,000—$9,999Nadine and James BilesMary and James BrownElia D. BuckSarah Miller CoulsonNancy GlebSally and Dan GordonBonnie and Lon R. Greenberg Melissa and Charlee GrimmPeter HaasAnn Marie Horner and Terry HornerSharon and Joel KoppelmanDeborah Kravetz and William RoblingElise and Abbie LeibowitzMarguerite and Gerry* LenfestElaine LindyAlixandra and Keith MorganStephanie and Michael NaidoffPeter and Eleanor NalleNeil A. Oxman, Esq.Constance Benoliel Rock and Milton L. RockUmakant and Surekha Shah

Elsie R. Stern and Steven D. CohenDavid StrausElizabeth Vrooman and Richard BaskinEilzabeth Werthan and Robert BrandSara Woods and William EnscoreAnonymous (4)

$1,000—$1,499Jacqueline and Kenneth AndrewsK.C. and Arthur BaldadianMaria BasiliSandra BlochGloria BlountPatricia Callahan and William DoublePhilippa CampbellCordelia E. ClementAmy and Michael CohenMary Coyle and Michael CoylePatricia CramerElizabeth CrawfordPhyllis DetwilerEnid DiamanteDerick Dreher and Gudrun DaunerHelen and Dr. William ElkinsSaul FinkleLinda FishmanBlair Freeman

SUPPORTING THE FREE



Gerald GayMary L. GoldmanJoan and Frank GoodmanKathy Gosliner and Joe LurieMarsha and Ralph GuggenheimJ. Barton HarrisonCailin HeiligJeffrey HonickmanLesley Ann HughesJudith and Richard HurtigCarol HutelmyerPhilip JaurigueLorraine JewettLeah Kaplan and Jon SmollenSusan Kaup and Michael RemshardErica KeislingRebecca and Gilbert KerlinEllen J. Kim and Max AhnNancy KolbJudy KornfieldMargaret KozkowskiMichele Langer and Alan Richard CohenBeverly LevyJan Linowitz and Thomas WaddenJane Lowe

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT

The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is pleased to recognize the following generous individuals who made gifts and pledges of $1,500 or more for special projects during fiscal year 2020.

$25,000 AND ABOVEMarta and Bob AdelsonCindy and John AffleckLloyd Alexander*David R. and Patricia D. Atkinson FoundationJanet and Jim AverillElaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, Jr Ann and Rick CollierEstate of Lillian M. CooperTobey and Mark DichterKathy and Jack* DonnellyDry Family Charitable FoundationMarie and Joseph FieldSally and Dan GordonDavid HaasKay and Harry HalloranDorrance H. Hamilton Charitable TrustJohn and Patricia ImbesiRosaline and Robert* JosephLisa Kabnick and John McFaddenToba and Lawrence KersonMarguerite and Gerry* LenfestThe Leslie Miller and Richard Worley FoundationMiriam* and Arthur SpectorBarbara and Fred SutherlandPeter James Vicente Family

$10,000—$24,999Judith L. and Charles T. BardesMeg and Roger BerlinAmy Branch and Jeff BenolielLois and Julian BrodskyMichael P. BuckleyCarolyn Cannuscio and Daniel Rader

James LuckChristine LussierMark LynchElizabeth Burns MahoneyMarion MannJohn MannisMattleman Family FoundationPeter McGrathJohn MerrickMadeline Miller and H. Gordon LeggettDora and Pete MitchellTara Mohr and Michael GoldfineAlexander MolotArthur NewboldJennifer Norwood-Sheran and Kevin SheranAnne O’DonnellMary and John OkolowiczLili PerskiMatthew PierceCarol RaviolaAnn and Frank ReedSusan and Andrew RobertsBetsy and Gerald RorerLyn M. RossJudith RuseDavid SchlessingerMarinda and Harry K. SchwartzPhyllis and Peter SnyderCameron and John J. SorokoFelice StackJames StambaughEmily and Harold StarrJoan and Philip SteelMs. Marna R. Sternbach and Mr. Albert E. DaviesNicholas ThomeAnne Tobey and Peter SchoenbachPatricia Urevick and Irv AckelsbergLaura Ward and David NewmannWendy Wilson and Bruce McKittrickBarbara WoodsCindy and Steve YinglingAnonymous (3)

Alexandra Edsall and Robert VictorPamela and Peter FreydElizabeth H. GemmillMargaret W. and Alexander KerrBonnie and Peter McCauslandAleni Pappas and Anthony KyriakakisLinda and Charles SchelkePatricia and Stephen SegalLiza and Jonathan SeltzerOona SperrHarriet and Larry WeissAnonymous (1)

$5,000–$9,999Sheila and Myron BassmanJean ChoMartha CornogPrudence Dalrymple and Ronald DunbarDerick Dreher and Gudrun DaunerLois and Richard England Family FoundationCarole Haas GravagnoJacqueline and David GriffithHarriet and Bernie GrossOtto Haas Charitable Trust,

recommended by Janet and John HaasStephanie Marudas and Dimitri PappasStephanie MayesHeather MullenEstate of Lidie Anne Smith

SUPPORTING THE FREE



$2,500–$4,999Barbara and William BogerJill and Sheldon BonovitzMarie Iorio Hamilton*Robin Komita and Mario MoussaLonnie and Murray LevinSherri and David LipshutzTod and Sally MacKenzieLiz Moore and Mac CaseyAnonymous (1)

$1,500–$2,499Mary Brewster and Frank InnesSarah DarrowSusan and Joseph DryburghBarbara Eberlein and Jerry WindLisa ErlbaumJoseph Hepburn*Dolores and Roger* HillasCarol and Alan KaplanKaren G. KilimnikDale and Richard LevyThe Miralie FundShirley A. PageDoris J. Pendergrast and Richard J. PendergrastUmakant and Surekha ShahCindy and Steve Yingling

Claneil FoundationCOVID-19 Arts Aid PHLIndependence FoundationKline & SpecterThe Edna G. Kynett Memorial FoundationThe Lenfest FoundationVirginia Cretella Mars FoundationThe Mayor’s Fund for PhiladelphiaPECOPennsylvania Humanities CouncilPhiladelphia Youth NetworkPNC FoundationAnonymous Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation

$10,000–$24,999Barra FoundationDolfinger-McMahon FoundationThe Douty FoundationEagles Social Justice Fund of the Philadelphia

FoundationGreenberg Traurig, LLPThomas Skelton Harrison FoundationThe Allen Hilles Fund Independence Blue Cross The Sylvia W. and Randle M. Kauders

Foundation Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback FoundationOsage IndustriesPennsylvania Department of Human ServicesThe Philadelphia Cultural FundWells Fargo Regional Foundation

$5,000–$9,999Edna W. Andrade Fund of the

Philadelphia FoundationBB&T, now TruistConnelly FoundationJoseph B. Godwin and Bertha Wurts Godwin

Memorial FundHarriet G. Fredericks FoundationThe Christopher Ludwick FoundationPhiladelphia Trust CompanyReliance Standard Life Insurance Company

INSTITUTIONAL CONTRIBUTORSThe Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is proud to acknowledge the following corporations, foundations, and government funders that provided vital support to the Free Library during fiscal year 2020.

$1,000,000 AND ABOVEVanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™William Penn Foundation

$500,000–$999,999 Council on Library and Information Resources The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

$250,000–$499,999Comcast NBCUniversal FoundationCommonwealth of Pennsylvania Redevelopment

Assistance Capital ProgramInstitute of Museum and Library ServicesPatrick J. McGovern FoundationPhiladelphia City Institute Board of ManagersWells Fargo

$100,000–$249,999The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation The Tobias Harris Charitable Gift FundJohn S. and James L. Knight FoundationThe Knight Foundation Donor-Advised

Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation Lincoln Financial FoundationPine Tree FoundationEmily Hall Tremaine FoundationUnited Way of Greater Philadelphia and

Southern New Jersey

$25,000–$99,999The BancorpCIGNA FoundationCitizens Charitable FoundationCity of Philadelphia Department of Public Health

Smith Memorial Playground and PlayhouseStradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLPVynamic

$2,500–$4,999Drexel UniversityThe McLean ContributionshipThe Pew Center for Arts & HeritageThe Pew Charitable TrustsPhiladelphia City Institute Library FriendsTarget CorporationUniversity of Pennsylvania

$1,500–$2,499Friends of Chestnut Hill BranchPhiladelphia Autism Project

SUPPORTING THE FREE


28 FY20 D E V E LOPME NT R EPORT FREELIBRARY .ORG 29

BENOLIEL SOCIETYThe Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation gratefully acknowledges the thoughtful individuals who have provided for the future of the Free Library by making a life income gift or including the Library in their estate plans.

Ihsan AhmedEstate of Janet M. AndereckPeggy AndersonJoseph F. BakerSherrin Baky-NesslerCarl J. BalisSheila and Myron BassmanKhadija BenaissaPeter A. Benoliel and Willo CareySally Cooper BleznakJill and Sheldon BonovitzAndrea BoydJudy Brown and Cynthia YoutzyCarol W. BuettgerHelen and Robert ButtelElaine W. Camarda and A. Morris Williams, JrJoseph CesaCarol Shlifer ClappJohn W. Cunningham, Jr.Peggy and Mark CurchackVictoria and Colin DawsonDorothy J. del Bueno*Doris N. DesherTobey and Mark DichterRuth Dillon*Donkey Dover, Jr.Amy FinkelsteinGraham FinneyAbbe Fletman and Jane HinkleDrs. Barbara* and Leonard FrankBarbara F. Freed, Ph.D.Jill Friedman-RickmanProfessor Eileen GambrillMs. Elaine Gelb and Mr. Marc H. Pachtman Bob GelsherBetty GottliebBruce Jay Gould

Kathleen GreenacrePeggy and Rich GreenawaltEstate of Dorrance H. HamiltonMark Haskins and Rebecca CraikGail and Peter HearnAntoinette HoaglandWarren HoffmanEdward W. HoyRosaline and Robert* JosephCharles KeatesMarlyn and Norman KlineDeborah KominsBernice and Joseph* KoplinSue D. and Reinhard KruseMagali and Charles LarsonAnne Silvers Lee and Wynn LeeThe Loki’s FundBarbara and Larry MagidRandi and William MarrazzoJane R. Mason and Dr. Bernard A. MasonPriscilla McDougalKim and Tom MoonTara Lynne MurphyAnita M. MyetteStephanie and Michael NaidoffLinda and Jeffrey NeedlemanFrances NovackSusan OdesseyNeil A. Oxman, Esq.Shirley A. PageMarilyn PhisterMarcia J. RogersEileen RosenauJ. Randall RosensteelHelen L. SchneiderPatricia and Scott SchultzSusan G. SmithMiriam* and Arthur SpectorEvelyn G. SpritzSherry A. SwirskyLorraine UrbeitDebra WeinerMara and Kenneth WolfgangAnonymous (1)


* deceased

IN RECOGNITION

DEVOTED VOLUNTEERSThe Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is proud to acknowledge the following volunteer groups who provided vital strategic counsel to the Foundation during fiscal year 2020.

CULINARY LITERACY COUNCILJean Cho, Co-ChairAleni Pappas, Co-ChairIrene Levy Baker Jeff Benjamin Glenn Bergman Carolyn Cannuscio Nadia Daniel Jonathan Deutsch Mark S. Dichter Constance Dry Maureen Fitzgerald Barbara F. Freed, Ph.D. Anuj Gupta Robin Komita Natalie Nixon Chinwe Onyekere Katie Rhodes Carol Saline Matt Saline Cindy Yingling

GEORGE S. PEPPER SOCIETY COUNCILDonna Gerson, ChairKatie Rhodes, ChairCindy Affleck Janet Averill Sally Cooper Bleznak Robert P. Curley Nadia Daniel Eleanor Davis

Barbara F. Freed, Ph.D. Judith Block Ginsberg Mary Hugues Ruth Laibson Jody Lurie Elizabeth Burns Mahoney Frances G. Martin Debra J. Poul Elizabeth Rappaport Eileen Rosenau Pamela Schreiber Suzanne Simons Cookie Otani Smith Miriam Spector* Susan Stewart Subhash G. Verghese Janice Volkman

RAVEN SOCIETY COUNCILJason BreininTaryn Cahill Molly CraneRusty FairclothKen A. Greenberg Edward T. Hunter Leah Greenberg Katz Dan KeithElizabeth Larsson Deborah K. Rounick Subhash G. Verghese

* deceased

SUPPORTING THE FREE


MEETINGTHE

MOMENT


2020 USHERED IN A SEASON OF EXTREME CHANGE FOR PHILADELPHIA AND ALL INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.The Free Library and the Foundation have paused and pivoted to help meet the increased needs of the Library staff and community. However, this commitment must continue beyond the current moment. Our work requires a strategic focus and investment in our staff who help bring forth new ideas, programs, and initiatives that meet the needs of every Philadelphian.

The Free Library is one of the most important educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia. While the City of Philadelphia provides public funds for the operations of the Free Library, it is through the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and the generosity of private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations that the Free Library is able to offer many of the Library’s programs and activities that advance literacy, guide learning, inspire curiosity throughout the region, and help deliver on the promise of an equitable future for all of Philadelphia’s children, families, and communities.

What does that mean as we move forward? It means:

Investing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by supporting efforts that promote a safe, inclusive, antiracist environment for our staff. As the philanthropic arm in this Library system, the Foundation will raise contributions in support of educational advancement for Library staff members so that career opportunities are equitably obtainable and DEI becomes an inherent part of the culture at the Free Library. Additional next steps include diversification of the Foundation Board and ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for board and staff members.

Investing in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods to further amplify our system’s greatest areas of impact: literacy, digital literacy, workforce development, and cultural and civic engagement. As the Library works to safely open neighborhood libraries, the Foundation is shoring up funding for the programs and services that our neighborhoods need most during this time of closed businesses, reduced employment, and increased digital learning.

Initiating, incubating, and implementing staff-supported programs. The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation provides the support needed to propel innovation and the financial support required to allow the Library to be nimble in pushing forward new ideas and programs.

Supporting the citywide Library ecosystem because our system’s strength lies in the Library’s ability to centralize key resources while ensuring that those resources are disseminated across our neighborhood libraries and into every single community of Philadelphia. The funding secured by the Foundation is not just for one; it is for all. It supports the growth and development of the entire Library system, and this funding is essential as we look towards a post-COVID future.

We have much more work to do. With your support, the Foundation will continue to help create an equitable and just future for our Library community and all of Philadelphia.

Despite our very best efforts, errors may have occurred in the production of this publication. If you have

questions, please contact the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation at [email protected] or 215-567-7710.

FREE L IBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION

1901 VINE STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103

215-567-7710 | freelibrary.org/support

Top photo on cover by Todd Mason, Halkin Mason Photography

Documents

FY20 DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Free Library of Philadelphia