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Nov. 17, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: The Rockbridge Regional Library Foundation (RRLF) was founded in 1992 with the sole purpose of ensuring longterm economic support to the Rockbridge Regional Library System. True to its mission, the Foundation has provided nearly $2,000,000 through its annual distributions. The 2023 distribution was in excess of $82,000.
While state and local governments provide the majority of the library’s annual operating budget, the remainder comes mostly from donations. Just in time for giving Tuesday, an anonymous donor has provided a $25,000 matching gift to RRLF. What a great opportunity this giving season to make a contribution, which will be matched, to support the library system which offers much to Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, and Bath County.
Recently, the library conducted a survey and focus groups to plan for the future.
One mother in a focus group said, “The library is about more than going to events and checking out books, it’s a crossroads for the community, a kind of landing zone.”
So many programs are working beautifully: rapidly increasing digital collections with a 12% increase in circulation in the last year; online access to books, collections, and education to include test preparation for the GED and ASVAB, and Career Online High School; numerous initiatives to impact children and young adults; supplementing school libraries in rural areas; lockers in Fairfield where individuals can pick up and return books they have ordered; printing from mobile devices; hotspots; and, of course, the bookmobile. A new vehicle will replace the current 20-yearold retrofitted bus in 2024.
There is a cost to all of this, and that is the work of the RRLF to help supplement the library system which is indeed a community treasure. So, this giving season, please consider a generous tax exempt donation online at www.rrlib.net or via check to Rockbridge Regional Library Foundation, 138 S. Main St., Lexington, VA 24450. All donations are matched up to $25,000. MIKE STRICKLER Vice president, Rockbridge Regional Library Foundation
