Escalon Library - and through it, the citizens of Escalon - could be the beneficiaries of up to $15,000 in matching funds from the San Joaquin County Intergovernmental Partnership Program.
Better known as the IPP, the program offers matching funds for local libraries to use for the purchase of new materials.
"For several years now, San Joaquin County government has set aside some money and if the other cities in the county provide money for materials, they will match that," explained Chris Freeman, Deputy Director of Community Services, and City Librarian, Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library.
What's different now, however, is that the county program won't just match money contributed by city entities, they will match donations of local residents, school groups and service clubs as well.
"If it's anybody, if the Escalon Rotary Club wanted to give, or just some other library advocate," Freeman said, those donations will be matched by the county, dollar for dollar.
That allows for more flexibility and the call is going out to local clubs, organizations and individuals that have an interest in helping the library. This affords them the chance to basically double their money, officials said, with their donation matched by the county funds and all going to benefit the Escalon branch library.
"Before the funds had to come from municipalities," Freeman said.
Supervising Library for County Branches, Debra Furtado, agreed the change is good for the branches.
"Because of the recent decision by the county to change the way the IPP functions, Friends groups, Chambers of Commerce, service organizations, can all participate as potential donors," Furtado said.
She pointed out that the Friends of the Library group in Escalon has already donated $2,800 to the fund, accounting for $5,600 for the branch for new collection items and library materials.
That leaves $12,200 in the county allocation available for Escalon ($15,000 set aside per branch) and donors are being sought to help provide the funds to be matched. Money would be awarded for the upcoming fiscal year, July 1, 2011 though June 30, 2012.
"We just found out about this," Freeman added of the IPP change. "We could potentially have up to $30,000 for new materials in the Escalon Library."
Officials are hoping to put on a big push to get the funds for the county's matching funds program by the start of the fiscal year, so anyone interested in donating to the library - in any amount - can stop by the library on Second Street for more information or contact Freeman at 209-937-8364 or by emailing chris.freeman@ci.stockton.ca.us.
Escalon Librarian Rebecca Hill Long pointed to this as being a great way for residents to contribute to the community and help the library gain access to new and needed materials.
Better known as the IPP, the program offers matching funds for local libraries to use for the purchase of new materials.
"For several years now, San Joaquin County government has set aside some money and if the other cities in the county provide money for materials, they will match that," explained Chris Freeman, Deputy Director of Community Services, and City Librarian, Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library.
What's different now, however, is that the county program won't just match money contributed by city entities, they will match donations of local residents, school groups and service clubs as well.
"If it's anybody, if the Escalon Rotary Club wanted to give, or just some other library advocate," Freeman said, those donations will be matched by the county, dollar for dollar.
That allows for more flexibility and the call is going out to local clubs, organizations and individuals that have an interest in helping the library. This affords them the chance to basically double their money, officials said, with their donation matched by the county funds and all going to benefit the Escalon branch library.
"Before the funds had to come from municipalities," Freeman said.
Supervising Library for County Branches, Debra Furtado, agreed the change is good for the branches.
"Because of the recent decision by the county to change the way the IPP functions, Friends groups, Chambers of Commerce, service organizations, can all participate as potential donors," Furtado said.
She pointed out that the Friends of the Library group in Escalon has already donated $2,800 to the fund, accounting for $5,600 for the branch for new collection items and library materials.
That leaves $12,200 in the county allocation available for Escalon ($15,000 set aside per branch) and donors are being sought to help provide the funds to be matched. Money would be awarded for the upcoming fiscal year, July 1, 2011 though June 30, 2012.
"We just found out about this," Freeman added of the IPP change. "We could potentially have up to $30,000 for new materials in the Escalon Library."
Officials are hoping to put on a big push to get the funds for the county's matching funds program by the start of the fiscal year, so anyone interested in donating to the library - in any amount - can stop by the library on Second Street for more information or contact Freeman at 209-937-8364 or by emailing chris.freeman@ci.stockton.ca.us.
Escalon Librarian Rebecca Hill Long pointed to this as being a great way for residents to contribute to the community and help the library gain access to new and needed materials.
