OUR LIBRARY MAKES BOULDER BETTER

Together, we can provide the financial resources to support our Library’s most meaningful programs.

OUR LIBRARY MAKES BOULDER BETTER

Together, we can provide the financial resources to support our Library’s most meaningful programs.

HALO Fund

Due to the Citywide furlough affecting 70% of the Boulder Public Library staff, The Boulder Library Foundation (BLF) has launched a “Help a Library Worker Out” (HALO) Fund. The primary goal of the Fund is to assist those staffers experiencing financial challenges during these uncertain times.

BLF has launched the Fund with an initial contribution of $10,000. In addition to this, we commit to matching every dollar raised up to $25,000. The HALO fund will issue once-off grants up to $500 to Boulder Public Library staffers on a “first-come, first-served basis” for the duration of the furlough period (04/17/2020 – 06/28/2020) or until funds are depleted.

Criteria and eligibility for HALO Grants:

I am a staff member of the Boulder Public Library who has been furloughed and as a result, am experiencing financial difficulties.
I am seeking a HALO Grant to help fund personal expenses such as food, rent or mortgage payments, cellphone and internet expenses, medicine, or household needs and I will not use it for illegal activities;
I am a resident of the US or territories and able to receive a grant from the Boulder Library Foundation by check, PayPal, Venmo, or QuickPay only.

Please note that BLF will require applicants to submit personal information in accordance with IRS reporting standards. Depending upon the amounts received, this grant may be taxable and may impact eligibility for Unemployment Insurance.

We fund nearly 90% of all Library programming.

We want to see new generations—who are more “computerized” than “bookized”—fall in love with the Library and what it contributes to our community. For that to happen, our Library needs to be on the leading edge of creativity and innovation, and that requires significant financial support.

The Boulder Library Foundation raises funds to directly support educational and artistic programs, specifically focusing on literacy, culture and creativity.

Literacy Programs

Helping people fall in love with reading and learning—for life.

Storytime Tools

Storytime encourages infants through preschoolers to develop a life-long love of reading through books, music, movement, and play—all while caregivers connect with other families in our community. The Foundation provides funding for storytime tools (think puppets and Play-Doh) to further engage participants and inspire their imaginations. Soon, we’ll be launching a free early literacy app to help caregivers continue storytime learning at home.

Summer Reading Program

As much as children and teens look forward to summer break, it’s not long before boredom sets in and reading time gets replaced by screen time. Our Library’s thoughtful summer program motivates kids to keep their nose in the books through 20 weekly programs: creative performances, experiential activities, and fun incentives. Since 1992, the program has been helping our kids return to school in August at the same reading level they left in May.

BoulderReads!

More than 19,000 adults in Boulder County don’t have adequate reading skills, which profoundly affects their employability, family relationships, and general life skills. BoulderReads! offers free, one-on-one literacy instruction in an empowering environment, culminating with a Reading Progress Celebration and the publication of Discoveries, an annual magazine featuring original, student stories. The accompanying Reading Buddies program pairs at-risk, K-5 students with CU-Boulder tutors.

Financial Literacy

When people struggle with budgeting and money management, it’s difficult for them to be self-sufficient, engaged members of our community. The Library’s Financial Literacy program offers a supportive training approach that helps people get back on their feet—and stay there. The Foundation offers scholarships to this program, thanks to our partnership with the Small Business Development Center.

Grants in the Making: Living Language: An Educational Theater Program for Youth, Early Literacy App, Author Speaker Series