Annual Appeal

How You Can Help Our Library Thrive!

Every child and teen deserves a healthy start in life and a healthy future. The San Mateo Public Library Foundation is working hard to make that happen. This commitment is only possible with your help. We depend on the support of people like you to partner with us to ensure a bright future for all in our community!

This holiday season, our special fundraising effort for the San Mateo Public Library centers on purchasing outdoor furnishings for the Children's courtyard area and replacement furniture for our very popular Teen Lounge. Each day, scores of young people use the Library. Our programs strive to create the optimal developmental environment for children and teens, offering academic and social-enrichment opportunities in safe surroundings for youth of all ages. The children and teen programs at the Library encourage healthy bodies, healthy minds and a lifelong love of literacy! Making sure these areas are useable, safe and comfortable allows for maximum benefit and enjoyment. Our goal is to raise the $30,000 required to fund these two needs.

• Our Children's Program plants the seeds of lifelong learning in young people as they develop learning skills, school readiness and a love of reading. The children's courtyard furniture will include benches and tables with seating and an umbrella. The estimated cost is $20,000.
• Our Teen Services Program provides productive resources for high school students: books, media, free Internet access, homework help databases, summer reading programs and special events. The Teen Lounge project will involve replacing study tables and chairs after five years of heavy use. The estimated cost is $10,000.

This past year alone, the Library totaled more than 574,000 visits, and over 28,000 people attended 910 Library programs. Our Library transforms lives on a daily basis -- nowhere else can you find such a comprehensive array of media, technology, programs and services -- the tools to help library users of all ages realize their full individual potential-- all for free and under one roof.

Please partner with us today by making a gift to the San Mateo Public Library Foundation. Your gift will help fund these two important improvements to benefit local youth of our community that depend on our Library. Thank you and very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!