This year, the Eugene Public Library reached out far beyond the boundaries of its walls. Due to COVID-19, the Library reimagined how it serves our community and opened its virtual doors as wide as possible. The Foundation is honored to be a philanthropic partner of the Library and provide a pathway for our donors to directly enhance library services in Eugene during this turbulent time.  

Because of the generosity of our donors, business partners, and foundations, we proudly presented an “IOU” for $288,700 to Library Services Director Will O’Hearn at our online Board meeting on Monday, June 8th. Don’t worry, we’ll hand off a real check this month too! This, in addition to $86,974  gifted to the Library earlier this year and $105,000 for Imagination Library costs, brings our total giving to literacy in Eugene to an incredible $480,674 for our 2019-2020 fiscal year. This financial support will have a profound impact on our entire community. 

Shortly after I joined the Foundation as the Executive Director in January, we faced the cancellation of our largest annual fundraiser and the temporary closure of the Library due to COVID-19. Despite this, we were still able to support the launch of our Public School Access Initiative to bring library cards to all public school students in Eugene and maintain the tremendous level of giving of previous years. 

I am inspired at the level of support our community of donors has continued to show throughout the challenges of the past several months. This demonstrates an extraordinary understanding of the importance of the Library to our community, making our gift this year even more meaningful. 

In community,

Reed Davaz McGowan, Executive Director

Black lives matter. We acknowledge that many in our community experience pervasive, structural racism every day, and for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community members living in Eugene, this fight is neither new nor fleeting. As we support the Eugene Public Library, our donors and philanthropy greatly impact our community. We are committed to listening and learning how we can actively promote anti-racist practices in our efforts to support the Library’s work as a conduit for learning and information, amplifying underrepresented voices and serving as a welcoming public institution for all.

For those seeking additional information, please click here for resources and curated reading lists.

Library staff have been working behind the scenes since the Library’s temporary closure to greatly expand usage of online resources. Since the closure, Library staff have fielded 3,400 patron calls, issued 700 new library cards, and seen a 70% rise in the use of online resources. The Library extended free online access to all living in the broader Eugene community to ensure wide access to information and materials as well. 

But, of course, there is something about checking out physical materials from the Library that just can’t be replaced – whether that’s the feeling of turning the pages of a book or putting on a DVD of a film you’ve been eagerly waiting to watch.

Starting this week following public health guidance, Downtown Library book returns opened during limited hours: Mondays through Saturdays, 7am-5pm.  At this point, book returns are only open at the Downtown branch, though you can return material from any branch there.

Beginning on Wednesday, patrons can schedule hold pickups at all three branches, including Bethel and Sheldon.  

The hold pick-ups are not limited to books but apply to anything and everything that can be put on hold at the Library, including DVDs & Blu-Ray, video games, audio books, music CDs, and more!

Cardholders are not limited to holds made before the Library’s closure, but can add to their list of requests. Library staff will be filling the existing 5000+ holds first, so patron patience is appreciated as they get to newer holds. Have some books on hold you know you won’t get to right away? Patrons can choose to “suspend” holds – but don’t worry – a suspended request continues to climb up the waitlist, and Library staff wait to put it aside for you until you choose to “reactivate” that title.

Anyone living in the Eugene area is welcome to a free online-use library card at this time – all you have to do is give the Library a call at 541-682-5450.

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https://eplfoundation.org/eplf-anti-racist-statement-announcements/
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