Kilgore Memorial Library Foundation

The Kilgore Memorial Library Foundation was established in 1982 to support the library by receiving larger gifts including real property to build an endowment, and to disperse funds in accord with the donors’ bequests.    It is organized as a tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation under the provisions of § (501) (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

Kilgore Memorial Library Foundation’s assets are derived principally from:

  • Lura Lou Wallace Ellis Trust (1980) — purchase books
  • residual funds from W. Sherwood Kilgore bequest (1986) — build and equip library
  • Mildred McCloud bequest (1990) — purchase books
  • income from real estate bequeathed in trust by Charlotte Brooke (1990) — purchase books, especially history and science
  • Lettie Seymour bequest (1993) — no stipulations
  • Hildegarde Zeilinger memorials (2003) were used for interior beautification
  • Belle Merrill bequest (2004) — purchase books including Large Print
  • Minnie Wholstenholm bequest (2006) — no stipulations
  • Louise Dougherty bequest (2006) — purchase books
  • Louise Dougherty memorials (2006) — were used to purchase display furniture
  • Dr. Herbert Kilgore bequest (2008) — purchase library materials
  • Jacqueline Monnier bequest (2012)
  • Karla Holmes bequest (2015) — improvements in the children’s section of the library
  • Carol Bittinger Trust (2017) — no stipulations

The Foundation acquired the real estate at 501 Burlington in 1992. After the original capital outlay was recaptured through rental income the home was sold, and the “Model T” one-stall garage was donated to the Wessels Living History Farm. The land is held in anticipation of future library building expansion. It also is used for some library programs.

Foundation disbursements to support the library include:

  • annual appropriations to the City of York Library Fund
    1990-1991 $ 8,000 — 1991-1992 $13,000 — 1992-1993 $ 9,000 — 1993-1994 $11,000 — 1994-1995 $12,000 — 1995-1996 $12,000 — 1996-1997 $15,000 — 1997-1998 $18,000
  • $6,000 for MacArthur Video Classics (1988)
  • $60,000 for library automation (1993-1994)
  • $60,000 for library automation upgrade lease-purchase (1999-2005: $10,000 annually)
  • $5,600 for public access computers (summer 2003)
  • $7,742.00 for books (fall 2007)
  • $23,742.00 for computers, equipment, furniture and interior beautification (2007 – 2008)
  • $20,176.00 for books (summer – fall 2008)
  • $13,475.00 for ST200X digital imaging system (fall 2008)
  • $18,548.00 for library materials (1st quarter 2009)
  • $23,226.00 for library materials (2010)
  • $8,600.00 for Library Consultant Services (2010-2011)
  • $26,925.00 for library materials (2011)
  • $72,500.00 (residual funds from Dr. Kilgore’s bequest to build the building) for library renovations and improvements (2012-2014)
  • $7,500 for library materials (2015)
  • $30,000 for Space Needs Study and survey of property above and below ground.

The Foundation served as the grant applicant and fiscal agent for the Friends of the Library’s project to install a life-scale bronze sculpture by Vern Friesen on the library grounds. The project launched in fall 2007; Once Upon A Time was dedicated Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 at 2:30 pm. A small residual fund will be used for future maintenance of the sculpture.

At the December 2019 board meeting the by-laws of the Foundation were updated.  This update included changing the makeup of the board to nine members including at least one Advisory Board liaison, one Friends of the Library Liaison and seven at large members. Current members of the board are:

  • Stephen Postier – President
  • Jon Thomas – Vice-President
  • Larry Kopsa – Treasurer
  • Paulette (Pete) Cordes – Secretary

The remaining seats of the Foundation Board are held by:

  • Todd Kirshenbaum – Friends liaison
  • Tammy Coffee – Advisory Board liaison
  • Karen Harris – Member at large
  • Brent Manger – Member at large
  • Alicia Witter – Member at large
  • Deb Robertson – ex officio, library director

 

The Kilgore Memorial Library Foundation has been a member of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) since 6-25-2019.