EBS STAFF
On Jan. 13, two organizations, Friends of the Bozeman Public Library and the Bozeman Public Library Foundation, who both support the BPL, announced a merger. The two separate organizations will now be united as one under the name Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation.
The Bozeman Public Library Foundation began in 1983, supporting capital projects over decades for construction and renovation of the library. Meanwhile, Friends of the Bozeman Public Library began in 1999 with the goal of supporting the library through sales and donations of gently-used books.
Susan Gregory, the BPL director, noted the importance of this unification in a Jan. 13 press release from the city of Bozeman.
“For many years, the Bozeman Public Library has been fortunate to have the support of two dynamic organizations dedicated to advocating for the library and raising funds that significantly expand our materials collections, programs, and services,” Gregory stated.
“The merger of these two organizations will expand their ability to support the library and lessen confusion for the public regarding donations. We’re grateful to these two organizations for their constant support of the library and excited to see them come together as one organization.”
Leaders of both nonprofits began discussing a merger in 2023 after the $5.4 million donor-funded renovations at the library. Both boards agreed to work toward a goal of a stronger, more efficient organization.
Goals of Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation are to have one group work together to advance the library, consolidate operating costs, increase capacity to raise funds, and limit confusion for interested donors who want to support the library.
“This merger represents our collective commitment to ensuring the library is a safe and welcoming place for all people and that it has the resources it needs to grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the community,” stated Janay Johnson, the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation’s executive director, in the release.
