Support ECRL

What can I do to help the library?

Donate

We appreciate your support more than you know! Gifts help us to provide more: books, resources, programs and services.

Tax-deductible donations to East Central Regional Library help support our vision of being an essential community resource inspiring East Central Minnesota to discover and explore possibilities to build and grow community.

Give today:

or mail your gift to East Central Regional Library Attn: Executive Director, Carla Lydon, 111 Dellwood Street North Cambridge, MN 55008.

Volunteer

Volunteers are important partners in the East Central Regional Library’s mission to strengthen, connect and support. East Central Regional Library is proud of its talented and diverse group of volunteers who currently donate their time. We recommend that you contact the Branch Librarian at the branch where you’d like to volunteer. They can tell you what opportunities are currently available.

Download the Volunteer Application.

Become a Friend

Friends of the Library groups have been established at many East Central Regional Library locations. Their members are champions for strong libraries. Friends provide support at the grass-roots level by assisting library staff with projects, raising funds for programming and other activities, and advocacy efforts. Please speak with staff at your local East Central Regional Library branch or contact your Friends group directly, to learn more about Friends activities.

More Options to Donate and Give.

Give to the library by signing up to donate each month:

Use our Online Gift page to set up a recurring donation of your choice. Becoming a monthly donor allows you set it up and forget about it! These monthly donations allow you to make an easy and sustainable impact on the services, resources, and programs we provide.

Planned Giving:

There are many ways to make a charitable, planned gift. These can come in the form of outright gifts, bequests, life insurance, retirement plans (IRA or 401(k)), and charitable trusts.

Various types of Charitable Trusts can provide specific benefits such as reductions in estate taxes, elimination of capital gains, and tax deduction that support your financial plan both now and in the future. A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) can be a powerful tool for allowing you to make a significant gift to the Library while also providing tax advantages.

If you have questions about making a planned gift, please contact Pamela Fry, Administration and Finance Manager at fundraising@ecrlib.org. Or call 763-392-0662.

Gifts & Memorials:

A gift made in someone’s name is a meaningful way to mark a special occasion or to remember or honor a significant person in your life.

When your gift or memorial contribution is received, an acknowledgment card will be sent to the family of the person memorialized or to the person you have chosen to honor and recognize.

Persons interested in giving a specific gift or donation to the library should contact Carla Lydon, Executive Director at ecregion@ecrlib.org or call 763-392-0662.

If you have any further questions, please see our Donations Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions with Giving

How will my donation be used?

Donations to ECRL are used exclusively for Library purposes where they are most needed. The Library will honor requests that a donation be used for a specific branch or purpose. If you have further questions please see our full Donation Policy.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes. Donations to ECRL are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Will I receive a tax receipt?

Yes. ECRL will send a written acknowledgement for all donations of $100 or more. A written acknowledgement may be requested for all other donations.

Can I Donate Books?

Yes, this is a great way to support your library. Bring your items to the circulation desk and staff will determine if the material will be added to the shared library collection, recycled, or sold in a book sale to benefit the library. For additional information, view East Central Regional Library’s Collection Development Policy.

I want my donation to be used for a specific branch or purpose – how do I do that?

To discuss donations intended for a specific purpose, please contact Carla Lydon, Executive Director at ecregion@ecrlib.org or call 763-392-0662.

Who can I contact for more information?

Carla Lydon, Executive Director at ecregion@ecrlib.org or Pamela Fry, Administration and Finance Manager at fundraising@ecrlib.org. Or call 763-392-0662.

Friends of the Library

Friends of the Library groups have been established at many East Central Regional Library locations. Their members are champions for strong libraries. Friends provide support at the grass-roots level by assisting library staff with projects and programming, raising funds, and advocacy efforts. Please speak with staff at your local East Central Regional Library branch or contact your Friends group directly, to find out information about Friends activities.