A Durango Herald article (June 23) titled “Durango 9-R Saves Two Branch Libraries” mentioning that the Friends of the Library will “help with funding” two “satellite public libraries” located at Sunnyside and Florida Mesa elementary schools raised the question regarding FOL monies.
No mention was made in the article that the FOL’s December 2016 minutes reported an end-of-the-year checkbook balance of $86,049.33, with another $148,599.99 identified as the ”beginning building” checkbook balance (that is, funds leftover from the public bond vote authorizing the new library).
In addition, total sales from the FOL’s three book sales in 2016 were reported as $12,813.35, with sales from the bookstore at $18,498.39.
Sometime in late 2008, while I was mayor and still a member of Durango City Council, I was approached by a resident who complained that the FOL were “sitting on” approximately $70,000 and had refused to relinquish those funds directly to the library for its use.
Federal government tax forms “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax – 990EZ” and the “Public Charity Status and Public Support” submitted by the Durango FOL as a 501.C.3 clearly include both the library building fund and revenues from the FOL book sales.
It therefore appears that public funds, as well as FOL funds provided by members of the public in anticipation that they are directly benefiting the library, are instead being routinely accrued and inappropriately sequestered.
Renee Parsons
Durango
