Our Vision, Mission, and Current Members
VisionThe Broomfield Library Friends Foundation envisions a literate, innovative and culturally aware community where all are free to explore and interact with the Broomfield Library and their fellow citizens.
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MissionThe Broomfield Library Friends Foundation supports the Broomfield Library by raising funds and promoting awareness and enjoyment of the library’s programs and services in the greater Broomfield Community.
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Current MembersBLFF’s Board of Directors is a group of volunteers whose officers are:
President: Lisa Funderburg Vice-President: Sarah Pak Secretary: Jessi Follett Treasurer: Joanna Larsen At-large committee members are Liz Sumerfield and Lynn Biegen. |
Our History
Brief History and Origins of the Broomfield Library Friends Foundation – Several past nonprofit organizations have provided the historical and organizational origins that evolved into the current Broomfield Library Friends Foundation.
1959 – The Broomfield Public Library – Broomfield’s library was founded on December 2, 1959 by a group of volunteer citizens led by Mary Jane Bailey who later became the library director. These volunteers raised funds for books, built shelves and maintained open hours for the library. The first location was in the basement of the newspaper office and later moved to Emerald Elementary School. After several other moves, in March of 1963 the library finally found a home of its own at 12 Garden Center (now the Broomfield Veterans Museum). At that time the library was renamed the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library. President and Mrs. Eisenhower attended the library dedication.
1960s – 1970s Broomfield Library Friends – This group of volunteers was active for some time hosting various activities such as an annual house tour and social gatherings to raise money to support the library. Their bylaws stated the following purpose:
1990 – 2015 Broomfield Library Friends – In anticipation of the library’s move into space at the new City & County Building on DesCombes Drive in 1992, library director Helen Martin recruited new volunteers to revive the Friends group with Margaret Basnett serving as president. Fundraisers included compilation and sale of a cookbook and used book sales in the building lobby. Purchases for the library included computers and software, a display case for the special Mamie Doud Eisenhower Family Book Collection and the much loved, life-sized “Generations” sculpture. The group also sponsored various cultural programs for the community. The bylaws state the following purpose:
2000 – 2005 Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library Assistance Association – Also, in anticipation of the move to the Community Park facility, a new organization was founded to raise funds for larger capital expenditures. With directors composed of library board members, it was incorporated on November 9, 2000. It then sought naming sponsorships and special donations for the new facility. It also assumed more of a role in encouraging gifts and endowments for the library. A major activity was the “Lasting Legacy Brick Campaign” that enabled citizens to become a part of Broomfield history by purchasing a brick imprinted with a family or business name or a special saying that would grace the library’s outside entryway. It’s stated purpose was:
2005 – 2015 Broomfield Public Library Foundation – In 2005 the Association’s name was officially changed to the Broomfield Public Library Foundation. The library board no longer served exclusively as the directors. Instead, directors were recruited from the community along with library board representation. Michelle Pearson served as the first president. The mission was to support and enhance City & County of Broomfield library services by:
2015 – Current. Broomfield Library Friends Foundation (BLFF)Maintaining two separate fundraising organizations on behalf of the library became a bit confusing, especially in the eyes of the public, so when the officers of the Broomfield Library Friends decided to all retire at the same time, the library board and director Roberta Depp, organized a task force to consider possible options. The task force was composed of library board members, representatives from the Friends, the Foundation and library supporters from the community. They met several times in 2014 with the resulting recommendation to merge the two support organizations. A smaller steering committee then worked to prepare the required legal documents. A formal vote on the merger plan by members of both organizations was held in May 2015 and became effective June 16, 2015. Kathleen Janosko served as the first president.
The BLFF is continuing the various activities supported by the previous organizations and is adding additional fundraisers such as a winter concert and silent auction. The growing children’s, teen and adult summer reading programs, as well as other library programs, are still supported.
1959 – The Broomfield Public Library – Broomfield’s library was founded on December 2, 1959 by a group of volunteer citizens led by Mary Jane Bailey who later became the library director. These volunteers raised funds for books, built shelves and maintained open hours for the library. The first location was in the basement of the newspaper office and later moved to Emerald Elementary School. After several other moves, in March of 1963 the library finally found a home of its own at 12 Garden Center (now the Broomfield Veterans Museum). At that time the library was renamed the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library. President and Mrs. Eisenhower attended the library dedication.
1960s – 1970s Broomfield Library Friends – This group of volunteers was active for some time hosting various activities such as an annual house tour and social gatherings to raise money to support the library. Their bylaws stated the following purpose:
- To promote library good will
- To sponsor programs designed to add to the cultural life of the community
- To provide for our library special items which cannot be purchased from the library budget
- To obtain scholarships available in Library Science for local students
- To encourage gifts, endowments and memorials for the library
- To work for needed library legislation or appropriations
1990 – 2015 Broomfield Library Friends – In anticipation of the library’s move into space at the new City & County Building on DesCombes Drive in 1992, library director Helen Martin recruited new volunteers to revive the Friends group with Margaret Basnett serving as president. Fundraisers included compilation and sale of a cookbook and used book sales in the building lobby. Purchases for the library included computers and software, a display case for the special Mamie Doud Eisenhower Family Book Collection and the much loved, life-sized “Generations” sculpture. The group also sponsored various cultural programs for the community. The bylaws state the following purpose:
- Promote and support the library
- Provide special items for the library
- Encourage gifts, endowments and memorials for the library
- Provide, if requested by the library, assistance, advice, and/or opinions on projects for the library; and
- May sponsor educational community events and activities
2000 – 2005 Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library Assistance Association – Also, in anticipation of the move to the Community Park facility, a new organization was founded to raise funds for larger capital expenditures. With directors composed of library board members, it was incorporated on November 9, 2000. It then sought naming sponsorships and special donations for the new facility. It also assumed more of a role in encouraging gifts and endowments for the library. A major activity was the “Lasting Legacy Brick Campaign” that enabled citizens to become a part of Broomfield history by purchasing a brick imprinted with a family or business name or a special saying that would grace the library’s outside entryway. It’s stated purpose was:
- To serve as a charitable organization to support all aspects of the operation
- To support the growth of the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library
2005 – 2015 Broomfield Public Library Foundation – In 2005 the Association’s name was officially changed to the Broomfield Public Library Foundation. The library board no longer served exclusively as the directors. Instead, directors were recruited from the community along with library board representation. Michelle Pearson served as the first president. The mission was to support and enhance City & County of Broomfield library services by:
- Complementing regular government appropriations to the library through fundraising and management of gifts and bequests
- Partnering with the library to ensure future funds are met
- Promoting programming that enriches the social and cultural identity of the community
2015 – Current. Broomfield Library Friends Foundation (BLFF)Maintaining two separate fundraising organizations on behalf of the library became a bit confusing, especially in the eyes of the public, so when the officers of the Broomfield Library Friends decided to all retire at the same time, the library board and director Roberta Depp, organized a task force to consider possible options. The task force was composed of library board members, representatives from the Friends, the Foundation and library supporters from the community. They met several times in 2014 with the resulting recommendation to merge the two support organizations. A smaller steering committee then worked to prepare the required legal documents. A formal vote on the merger plan by members of both organizations was held in May 2015 and became effective June 16, 2015. Kathleen Janosko served as the first president.
The BLFF is continuing the various activities supported by the previous organizations and is adding additional fundraisers such as a winter concert and silent auction. The growing children’s, teen and adult summer reading programs, as well as other library programs, are still supported.