Update from the Board

A Message from Tripp Widder- 

At the Madison Public Library Foundation's Board Meeting held on October 28, 2008, I was elected to serve as President of the Foundation for the upcoming year. I will be replacing Judy Olson, whose tenure as president began during Bill Clinton's first term as President. She has served long and well and deserves all of the credit for so much that has happened with the Foundation over the past fifteen years. Following in her footsteps will be daunting.

Under Judy's guidance and stewardship, the Foundation grew from very humble beginnings into a full fledged charitable foundation with an endowment fund approaching two million dollars. During her tenure, successful capital campaigns for the new Alicia Ashman Branch Library, the Lakeview Branch renovation project, and the new and expanded Sequoya Branch Library, which just opened, among others, were successfully completed. This was in addition to the ongoing annual campaigns that have been a staple source of funds to support the Madison Public Library.

When I say Judy "did it all," I really mean that. Until recently, there was no Foundation staff to assist in Judy's efforts, so that meant literally doing anything and everything that was necessary to support and nurture the Foundation - everything from typing the letters, doing the mailings, depositing the checks, paying the bills, recruiting board members, scheduling and attending committee meetings, hosting events, and the like.

She leaves the Foundation in excellent shape. As noted above, our endowment fund that is maintained at the Madison Community Foundation is approacthing two million dollars. We have a very able Executive Director in the person of Terrie Goren. We have committed and energetic board members. And we have embarked on a number of initiatives (about which I will be communicating with you in the future) that will ensure the long term health of the Foundation and its ability to serve and support the Madison Public Library.

None of this could have happened without the leadership of Judy Olson. For that, all of us who use and love the libraries owe her a great debt of gratitiude. Thank you, Judy, for everything you have done.