A Message from our Chair

Greetings and Welcome to the new website for the Alachua County Library District Foundation.

I am Mitzi Austin, current Chair of the Foundation Board. My task is to steer the work of the Foundation on its Mission -- which Mission is to provide supplemental funding to the Library District, to enhance the library services for the community, and to provide a means for long term support and planned giving.

We strive to grow the Foundation and to help to meet the needs of this community as those needs may evolve. We know that all libraries, and our Alachua County Library District in particular, promote a lifetime of literacy, learning, and community.

We have supported the Snuggle Up Centers and Teen Spaces at the branches. More recently, we have also funded the purchase of 400 WiFi2Go units, for use District-wide. These units give useful WiFi2Go connection to those in the community whose internet service may be limited.

Our partnerships with the Library District and Friends of the Library (FOL) are important to our Mission. We work with the District to accept and use private contributions by ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance. The FOL provides supplementary support through the Foundation and literacy programs that enhances the library's services and programs.

Our members have worked to upgrade this website to make it truly accessible. Visitors can now explore the site and can access digital archives and access portals for making their own donations to further our Mission.

We welcome engagement from the entire community -- whether donating, volunteering or taking part in library events.

We sincerely thank all donors, volunteers and community for your support, without which we could not function.  This support has enabled our annual donations and longtime support of the libraries.

Please explore this new website. We are sure that you will find much to engage you and will open you to the opportunities through the Foundation and through the libraries.  Please connect with us on this site, through social media, such as our Facebook page and through newsletters, such as the FOL newsletter.

Thank you again, and enjoy this new website.  Mitzi Austin, Chair.