Thanks a Million!

Public funding only provides the core operations for the library and private support greatly enhances library services. Your ongoing support makes it possible for the library to continue its role as a vital resource for books, digital items, and critical programs for our community.

Each year, on top of special project funding, the Foundation renews our annual commitment and gifts 3% – 5% of the value of the endowment to the library. As a result, the library has been able to offer significantly more. Since 1990, the year we formed, the Duluth Library Foundation has gifted over $900,000 to our library—supporting library programs of all kinds, purchasing thousands of new books and materials (both physical and digital), implementing new technologies, and launching the Every Child Ready Duluth initiative.

We’re not stopping there. Our year-end goal is to reach the $1 million milestone of total gifts to the library and we need your help! Looking ahead, library manager Carla Powers shared that Foundation gifts, in addition to the purchase of new books and materials, will help to support:

  • Educational programs that serve all ages, from birth to older adults
  • Programs that enrich the community with inspiration and entertainment
  • Library resources that strengthen and expand economic opportunities

Be a part of the $1 Million campaign by making your gift here>

P.S. Help launch this campaign by celebrating Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s giving holiday, with a gift by midnight on November 17, 2022!

Banned Together for Learning & Libations at the Library

Eleven years ago the board and staff of the Duluth Library Foundation had a lofty idea to throw a fundraiser Gala at the downtown Duluth Public Library. At the library?

Yes! Imagine black tablecloths draping every surface, with candle-light and live jazz music playing in the background. The evening features delicious appetizers, a delectable assortment of wine and beer, and best of all, an evening of dazzling interactions with the best and brightest of Duluth, with time to meet and mingle in the stacks. Thus was born Learning & Libations at the Library!

In 2022 the event took a fun and fresh twist by replacing learning breakout sessions with local beverage tasting and book pairings curated in partnership with our librarians. This new format allowed for more time for guests to learn about the essential functions of our library, discover new book recommendations from the best experts in town, and sample locally made products–all while in the company of fellow library supporters. It was a true party in the stacks!

Book and beverage pairings were all made in the theme of banned books, in observance of Banned Books Week 2022. See the full recommendation list here >

Learning & Libations at the Library was a success on all accounts — raising $50,000 and counting and fully funding the West Duluth Re-Imagined project! See photos from the evening here>  

 

Election of New Officers and Directors

The Duluth Library Foundation, founded 30 years ago to enhance the library in its work of serving the community, is pleased to announce the election of two new officers and three new members on its Board of Directors.

David Moeller was elected President of the Board of Directors. David is senior regulatory counsel at Minnesota Power/ALLETE and has served as a board member for the past 5 years. David’s family are all avid library users. He has been an active library patron since obtaining his first library card during elementary school from his hometown Carnegie Library in Luverne, Minnesota.

Matt Rosendahl was elected Vice President of the Board of Directors. Matt is the Library Director of the Kathryn A. Martin Library at the University of Minnesota Duluth and has served as a board member for the past 5 years. He co-founded the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium and is a member of the Duluth Public Library Board.

Michael Altman will continue to serve as Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Mike served for thirty-five years as a partner with Wipfli, LLP, where he focused on nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and income taxes. He has served as a board member for the past 8 years.

Joining directors David Moeller (President), Matt Rosendahl (Vice President), Michael Altman (Treasurer), David Sproat, M.D. (Past President), Jennifer Berges, Leah Fisher, Susan Goltz, M.D., Sherry Hall, JeRay Johnson, M.D., and Theresa O’Gara are:

Douglas Bremer
Doug is a Commercial Loan Officer at Members Cooperative Credit Union and has called Duluth home for more than two decades. He is an active member of the local community and has enjoyed serving on the boards of several local business and community organizations. Doug’s father was a career librarian, and his mother was an educator, so the library was an integral part of his upbringing.  Doug lives in Duluth with his wife, their three children, and their two Old English Sheepdogs. His interests include linguistics, poetry, and plant care. He also enjoys martial arts, mountain biking, and traveling with his family as much as possible.

 

Craig Chilcote
Craig is a licensed CPA and the managing partner for Anderson Kuiti & Asuma PLLC. Craig claims reading is something he couldn’t live without. He reads 4-6 books a month and has subscriptions to over 9 business publications. Away from work, you will find Craig relaxing at the cabin with his wife, Kerri, and daughter, Gwen along with their cat, Sugar, and golden doodle, Ruby.

 

 

Greg Fox
Greg was lucky enough to live near the beautiful West Duluth Library and went there to study and meet friends several times a week when he was in school. After graduating from Denfeld High School he attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and later did graduate work at the University of Washington. He returned to UMD in 1974 and began a 38-year career first as the assistant director of Continuing Education and Extension and later as the Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations. He has been active in the community and served as chair of the DECC board, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Goodwill Industries board, and he has co-chaired the United Way annual campaign and the Damiano Center facilities campaign. He has been married for more than 50 years to Sheila. They have two children and four grandchildren. Each week they are at Laura MacArthur Elementary School working on reading with first graders.

 

Carla Powers, Library Manager, serves as a Member Ex Officio. Erin Kreeger is the Executive Director of the Foundation.

The Foundation regretfully acknowledges the departure of board members Amy Kuronen and Gerri Williams.