Bridgman Public Library Establishes Endowment

            The Bridgman Public Library recently established an endowment fund at the Berrien Community Foundation.

The Library provides materials and services that furnish opportunities for educational, informational, cultural and recreational enrichment to all the people of the communities served by the Library. The Library encourages children to develop an interest in reading and learning through its services for children and its service for parents and children together.

            “We’re excited about partnering with the Berrien Community Foundation through this fund, " said Carla Norwood, Library Board President. “The Foundation will provide professional management and investment services, freeing us up to focus on our goals. Donors making contributions directly to the fund at the Foundation will have the Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit available, in addition to the regular tax deduction for such contributions.”

The Library was officially voted into the city millage in April 1966. The original site was in the current Rochefort's Ice Cream Shoppe with Marilyn Roth as first librarian.  Within a few short years, the Library relocated to the Farmer's and Merchant Bank, currently the China Cafe. In the early 80's, space was again an issue, and a large fundraising campaign began. At the same time the Friends of the Library was formed, and a grant was also received through the Library of Michigan Construction Act. Dr. and Mrs. Dale Smith, a local dentist and his wife, donated the property for the current Library site. Relocation to the new building occurred in 1984 with an addition and renovation completed in 2004.

            The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned citizen could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County residents. The Foundation is a union of numerous funds like the Library's, gifts, and bequests that form permanent endowments. The income of these endowments is used to make grants to nonprofits, like the Library, that serve Berrien County residents.

            Gifts to the Library’s endowment fund may be mailed to the Berrien Community Foundation, 2900 S. State St., Suite 2E, St. Joseph, MI 49085.  For more information about this fund or how to donate to it, contact Dr. Nanette Keiser, Foundation President, at 983-3486 or NanetteKeiser@ BerrienCommunity.org or visit www.BerrienCommunity.org.