About Us
The Bloomfield Public Library Foundation supports the Bloomfield Public Library’s mission by raising funds to supplement and strengthen the public’s investment in the Library’s facilities, programs and services.
The Foundation’s vision is to provide privately sourced funding beyond the constraints of the municipal budget and to help create a library space for all to access, with resources that speak to the diversity of our community – encouraging learning at all ages, fostering intellectual freedom, and providing a diverse collection to stimulate discourse and to inform.
Goals
Support the Library in its mission to provide free and equal access to books, online resources, developing literacy skills, language resources, children’s programs, and a welcoming, comfortable, safe community space.
Expand cultural programming and services beyond the Library's doors.
Build up and enrich technology services available to Library staff and patrons.
Serve as a steward for major gifts and bequests to the Library.
Utilize 501(c)(3) status to multiply private funds through matching grants and corporate gift programs.
Raise impactful supplemental funding for capital improvements through community engagement.
Ultimately, establish an endowment fund to reliably enhance Library services, collections and programming for generations to come.
History
The Bloomfield Public Library Foundation was established in 2018, after a group of engaged community members became increasingly concerned about the rapidly growing needs of their community and the year-to-year lack of municipal funding available to enhance the Library’s facilities, programs and services to better meet those needs. Following an example set by successful libraries locally and throughout the US, the Library Foundation was formed to serve as a steward for private funds, ensuring donors that their contributions will be applied where support is needed most.
Leadership
Mollie Smith, President
Linda Warnasch, Secretary
John B. Nance, Treasurer
Jaynellen Behre Jenkins, Trustee At-large
Meet the Foundation’s Leadership ▸
The Bloomfield Public Library Foundation is seeking new board members of various skill sets with community and/or nonprofit experience. Applicants must be enthusiastic about rolling up their sleeves as active, working trustees and be willing to dedicate their resources to growing the organization and ensuring its success in the coming years.
Legal Name, Status and Tax ID
The Foundation’s legal name is “Bloomfield Public Library Foundation, A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation.” It is a 501(c)(3) public charity registered with the IRS and the State of New Jersey. The Federal Tax Identification Number is 82-3933366.