All
about the GPLA
By Elizabeth Prata
The
Gray Public Library Association (GPLA) is a private
entity, not affiliated with the Town. As a newly
designated tax-exempt corporation they seek to become
the recipient of the Pennell Institute trust. If
they do, they will have total control, custody,
and ownership of the Pennell Institute building
and one acre of land as an asset of the trust, begun
by Henry Pennell in the late 1800s. The GPLA would
lease the building back to the Town of Gray and
the Town would install the Library in there as a
tenant and pay the GPLA rent.
Last Tuesday, July 19, the GPLA delivered to the
Town Council a packet containing their bylaws, mission,
and budget. Some facts from that packet are below.
GPLA
mission
The GPLA's purposes are to support the programs
and activities of the Gray Public Library; to assist
the Gray Public Library by recruiting, training,
and supervising volunteers; to solicit bequests
and gifts of books, manuscripts, money or other
appropriate materials to supplement the library
budget; to raise funds for capital improvements
to the Gray Public Library's facilities; and to
educate the public about the Gray Public Library,
about libraries in general, and about other topics.
Who is on the GPLA?
Officers are Raymond P. Clark, President, Peter
T. Gerardo, Treasurer, Julie Sheets, Secretary.
Other Trustees of the GPLA are Michael B. Smith,
Donna Ryan, Pat Barter, Lynn Olson. Priscilla Payne
acts in ex-officio capacity. The current Directors
intend to have a Board of up to 15 members and they
are in the process of contacting future members.
Budget
The GPLA expects to be supported through contributions
from government entities, private foundations, and
other charitable organizations, and through donations
from the public. The GPLA's budget is listed as
follows: in 2005 they expect to raise $351,000,
$200,000 of that as contributions from individuals,
$125,000 from grants, $25,000 from special events,
and $1,000 on investment return. They expect to
spend $29,000.
In 2006 the GPLA expects to raise $194,000; $50,000
of that from individuals, $125,000 from grants,
$10,000 from special events, and $9,000 on investment
return. They expect to spend $6,000.
In 2007 the GPLA expects to raise $835,000. They
propose to raise $25,000 from individual contributions,
$125,000 from grants, $10,000 from special events,
$15,000 on an investment return, and from a local
bond issue of $660,000.
They expect to spend $1,287,000 mostly for demolition/construction
of the building.
