FMCFL's Mission:
The Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries assures and accelerates the mission of the Monterey County Free Library system by providing resources and outreach.
Our History:
The Board of Supervisors by Resolution on October 24, 1989, recognized the establishment of the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries. Shortly thereafter, the founding Board of Directors caused Articles of Incorporation to be filed with the California Secretary of State, then, the IRS conferred “501(c)(3)” status and the foundation was officially born.
The early years saw many accomplishments. The Seaside branch library started the first Homework Center in 1991 with a $5,000 grant from the Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation. By May of that year FMCFL Board of Directors had pledged to raise $325,000 to support expansion of the program to other sites as well as increasing frequency of bookmobile services, providing staff and materials for literacy programs and purchasing new children’s books.
In June 1993, with the backing of famed children’s author, Beverly Cleary, the Foundation launched a $125,000 new bookmobile serving North Monterey County. Library patrons gained access to the Internet from the Seaside branch in November 1994, and Bookmobile II hit the road in South County in September 1995. Recently a Reading Safari Literacy Van was added to the fleet, designed to furnish free service to Child Care Homes, Child Care Centers & pre schools.
With funding provided by the Foundation, summer reading programs flourished and by 1997 more than 9,000 youngsters were benefiting from the program. By 1998 the Board of Directors had approved its first ever six-figure annual budget to support various library programs. Starting with an operating budget of only $15,000 in 1991, the Foundation continued to grow and by the end of 2000 projected an annual budget of more than $370,000 for the next fiscal year.
We thank and applaud everyone who has given precious time, money and other resources to help this Foundation “open windows to a larger world” for the residents of and visitors to Monterey County.
