Partners in Purpose: Foundation and Friends Invest in Library
Pictured: Eckhart Public Library Executive Director, Valerie Simmons (left) with Hailey Casto, Eckhart Library Foundation board member, presenting the Foundation's third quarter pledge contribution of $25,000.
AUBURN, IN – In a single evening, Eckhart Public Library received two remarkable gifts: a $25,000 pledge installment from the Eckhart Library Foundation and an $18,000 contribution from the Friends of the Library. While these funds arrive from different sources, they share a common purpose — ensuring that the library remains a vibrant, evolving resource for the entire community.
The dual gifts reflect the strength of collaboration among the two organizations that work in tandem to support Eckhart Public Library’s mission. At a time when public funding for libraries can be uncertain and ever-changing, this coordinated effort demonstrates the depth of community commitment behind the library’s continued success.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a Foundation and a Friends group that are true partners in our mission,” said Library Director Valerie Simmons. “Their generous and strategic support helps us to create and maintain the services, programs, resources, and spaces that enrich our community.”
The $25,000 from the Eckhart Library Foundation represents the third quarter installment of its annual pledge, this year $115,000 in celebration of the library’s 115th anniversary. These funds help support the essential operations that keep the library moving forward day after day.
The Friends of the Library’s $18,000 gift funds programming and materials that enhance the everyday experience for patrons. A significant portion of this contribution was raised through the group’s annual “Strawberries Around the Fountain” fundraiser, a summer tradition that has become both a beloved community event and a powerful engine of support.
“This is what it looks like when a community walks beside its library,” said Carolyn Foley, vice president of the Foundation. “We each have our roles, and we trust one another to do them well. Together, we help ensure that the library remains a cornerstone of life in Auburn.
The partnership between Eckhart Public Library, the Foundation, and the Friends is grounded in shared values: access to knowledge, preservation of history, and the belief that libraries change lives. While the landscape of public funding may shift, the library’s local support system offers continuity and confidence for the road ahead.
“As public funding changes, our commitment doesn’t,” said Steve Graber, president of the Friends of the Library. “We’re proud to work alongside the Foundation and the library staff to keep the programs we all know and appreciate thriving.”
