Carl Bloom Associates Finds Public Libraries' Fundraising Results Still Good Despite Bad Economy

White Plains, New York, Feb. 11, 2009 — Fundraising results from Carl Bloom Associates’ Direct Marketing Library Consortia ; a cooperative group of big and small public libraries across the country ; were very strong in the last few months of 2008. Acquisition direct mail response rates were more than double those for the year before for one co-op member and up about 80% year-to-year on average for all participating libraries.

Carl Bloom, President and Founder of CBA, says successful libraries and other non-profits “stress the value of the organization and its good work for their communities ; as providing the most ‘bang for the buck’ when giving choices have to be made.”

Mr. Bloom cites recent media coverage of big increases in library usage for everything from free internet access and job listings to a higher demand for inexpensive entertainment such as video and book rentals, while at the same time they experience a freefall in government funding.

“Our nation’s public libraries are among the most important institutions in their communities. In an era when the internet and big box bookstores were supposed to make them obsolete, they’re more important than ever. It’s important to communicate that message to donors.”

Peter B. Wayne, Associate Director of the Queens (NY) Library Foundation, agrees saying, “I think the message of budget cuts and economic hard times coupled with the Library's value resonates with donors.”

Annette Thornburgh of The Library Foundation in Topeka, KS is “pleased with the results, especially in this tough economic climate,” while Maggie Morgan, Development Associate at the Pierce County Library Foundation in Tacoma, WA, is “very happy with the dollar amount coming in, especially during a shaky economy. “ Looking to the future, she’s hopeful that “we'll continue to see donors come in.”