Summary
A for-profit library, serving our community. Starting as a small business in the Triad of North Carolina, with a single employee. The collections will be determined by our patrons, and at the discretion of the owner. With an architecture that follows in the spirit of the Tiny House Movement; building no more than is necessary, while comfortably nestling itself into a spare lot in an existing community.
To balance profits and accessibility: There will be a cap to memberships (likely 100-200) and most of our profits will go back into our collections and infrastructure. Standard memberships will likely be $240 a year, or $25 a month.
This will give reasonable access to 95% of the library's services. If one desires more access or special treatment, higher tier memberships will exist and/or can be created. On the flip side we will may also maintain a $7 membership (monthly), to accommodate those who only need digital access and/or the occasional book loan. That said, I believe that this location will be void of technology during its first phase. Perhaps slowly introducing digital catalogs after a time, when patron habits are known.
In time we hope to create more sources of income and cultivate a nest egg; allowing us to establish some longevity and consistency while being able to pay for memberships of those who can't afford it.
There are many more details to explore, but they arenβt worth simply daydreaming about until we have professionals to consult with. As we move through that process, it is my belief that these ideas can be worked into a reproducible model for neighborhood and community libraries. While raising the bar of what a library should be.
Background
Having a really nice book collection, has been an interest of mine for awhile. Especially after seeing how great a private collection can be, and how a small business can create a beautiful and accessible place for people from all walks of life to gather. So starting in late-2020, from these anecdotal memories, the idea of a private-local library has slowly coalesced.
At the core of this, is my desire to serve others in a deeper and more meaningful way, than most public libraries are able to.
By protecting and preserving knowledge (as all good libraries do), while making it readily available to anyone who asks for it. This alone can add tremendous value to our local community, as well as the greater ones.
By catering to both the majority and the minority, enriching the experience of all patrons.
In Lieu of Testimonialsβ¦
βIf you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.β
β Marcus Tullius Cicero
βIn a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them.β
β Mark Twain
βA great library doesn't have to be big or beautiful. It doesn't have to have the best facilities or the most efficient staff or the most users. A great library provides. It is enmeshed in the life of a community in a way that makes it indispensable. A great library is one nobody notices because it is always there, and always has what people need.β
β Vicki Myron
As lovely as public libraries are, their priorities do not allow them to further the art of modern librarianship.
Funding Goals
Simply stated, our goal for this initial fundraiser is $3,000. Before fees and fulfillment costs. This enables us to raise awareness, connect with professional consultants, and begin to assemble estimates. If successful, it is plausible that the next fundraiser for this project will be for the purchase of land.
Rewards
| $5 | Thank you so much! |
| $12 | PDF of our road map and project plan, upon completion. |
| $50 | Color copies of our major plans and materials, along with a printed copy of our final road map and plan. |
Stretch Goals
| $5,000 | We pursue estimates and minimal plans for a building. |
| $5,200 | Same as above, plus an aggressive letter-writing campaign. To sift through the Triad area for possible locations. |
| $7,000 | We get more thorough estimates for one or two building styles and a template for an edible landscape. |
| $9,000 | In the spirit of helping others follow our journey, if we reach this goal we will put our entire set of research into a book. Which would (hopefully) serve as a template for future private libraries. While this may take longer to deliver, everyone who contributed $50+ will have their name put down for a book when they arrive. |
And that's what I've got so far. All comments are welcome. Will continue to polish this pitch as I save up cash to start promoting it.