Give a Book to the Entire City

Did a parent, friend, teacher, or librarian ever give you a book that changed your life? A book that made you think differently or aspire to greater things? Now you have a chance to return the favor.

For just $25, you can give a book to the Minneapolis Public Library for the whole city to enjoy. In recognition of your gift, we will include a customized bookplate in your book with your name or that of a friend or relative you wish to honor. You’ll also receive a 1-year membership in The Friends of the Library, which includes an unlimited 10% discount at 19 area bookstores.

Our libraries need your help. In 2008, they will spend more on health care than on new books. Since 2003, the collections budget has been cut by close to $1 million.

The Friends are organizing library supporters to keep our collections strong. In 2006, two out of every five books purchased by MPL were purchased with private contributions. In our current fiscal year, we hope to raise $100,000 for new books so that when public funding allows our libraries to be open, they have exciting new collections.

For $50, you can buy a second book for someone who can’t afford one. For $100, you can buy a book for each member of a family of four. For $300, you can buy a book for each month of the year. For $600, you can buy a book for every student in your child’s or grandchild’s classroom. For $1,000, you can buy enough books to keep most avid readers engaged for a year.

Dig deep and do what you can. Dreams are free, but the books that inspire them aren’t.

Click here to download a pdf of a donation form to mail in.*

*These documents requires Adobe Acrobat Reader,
click here to download this free software.

Member Benefits

Your most valuable benefit is knowing that you support the state's most accessible and comprehensive public library collection and that you have contributed to its continued health and vitality. But there is more. As a member you also receive:

• 10% discount at 19 area bookstores;
• A subscription to The Friends quarterly newsletter and event notifications;
• Invitations to members-only book sales and events;
• Advance registration for space-limited programs; and
• Recognition in The Friends Annual Report.

For questions regarding membership or any other donation, please call 612-630-6175 or dmflinsch@hclib.org.

Give with Stock

Consider giving a gift of stock to The Friends. There are some significant potential tax advantages for making a gift of stock (or other highly-appreciated asset like real estate) to The Friends. Generally, you can:

• Receive an immediate tax deduction for the value of the donated stock at the time you donate it.
• Avoid paying huge capital gains taxes on stock that has appreciated significantly in value since you purchased it.
• Reduce your taxable estate by donating stock to a charity. If you have a sizable estate, that can divert the money in that stock away from the IRS and into the coffers of your charity.

The rules governing these donations and applicable tax benefits can be quite complex, however, so please consult with your accountant or financial adviser about your personal situation before taking any action. If you would like to make a gift of stock, please contact Dawn Flinsch at 612-630-6175 or dmflinsch@hclib.org to make arrangements with our financial advisor.