Pinellas News

Tarpon library support groups clarify their differences

Vivienne Green
Published: March 31, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - They have different names, addresses and each has its own distinct mission, but the lines that separate their roles and functions have grown increasingly blurred.
Now the sources of this potential confusion - the Friends of the Tarpon Springs Public Library, the Tarpon Springs Public Library Foundation and the Tarpon Springs Library Advisory Board - are taking steps to eliminate any public misunderstandings about what they are and what their members do.
Leaders of the trio of groups are preparing a composite brochure that explains their differences in simple terms.
The Tarpon Springs Public Library Foundation's primary mission is to attract or raise funds for the library - usually cash gifts, stocks, bonds or bequests in wills and trusts.
Its job is unlike the city-appointed Tarpon Springs Library Advisory Board, which acts as liaison between the library, the community and City Commission, and the Friends of the Tarpon Springs Public Library, which actively recruits member whose dues are pumped back into the library.
The mission statement of the Friends group, however, says its primary role is to "foster support of the library" and educate the public about the library's needs.
The blurred lines may have affected the foundation more than the other two library-related entities.
Gloria Hope, the foundation's president, says its main concern is that donations that should be made to the foundation have occasionally been sent or directed to the Friends instead.
"The foundation is the only organization created to provide income for our library in perpetuity," a draft of the new brochure states.
It's expected to be completed in another month and will likely be distributed to residents through their water and sewer bills.