This year there’s so many ways to participate in the Dewey Donation System — matched cash donations, Amazon wishlist hollowing and independent bookstore tag teaming — it’s hard to pick which one will be the most fun! (Dewey’s suggestion? “Dew them all!”)

DUDE! DOUBLE DOLLARS FOR DEWEY!

In conjunction with the VLP’s 10th anniversary, a local foundation is generously — and anonymously– providing a challenge grant! They are matching dollar-for-dollar any new or increased gifts to the organization up to $30,000 total!

That means every dollar donated through Dewey will actually mean two dollars for the VLP! Let’s help that mysterious stranger write a big, fat check.

Donor Levels

• $15 – Add a book to the library’s growing collection.
• $25 – Provide free books for one Books2Go Head Start or City Schools classroom.
• $50 – Fund one monthly cultural program for adults.
• $125 – Give one City schoolchild a week in the LINK After School program.
• $250 – Provide interactive storytimes for young readers in the library.
• $500 – Fund a field trip for eighty LINK After School students to a local cultural institution.
• $1000 – Join the VLP’s leadership giving circle, the Village Vanguard: A $1000 donation is a leadership gift at the VLP, providing access to our highest – and only – giving group, the Village Vanguard. Donors at this level are recognized on our website, in our annual report, in the library, and at an annual reception. They’re also regularly and personally updated by senior staff on the results of their gifts and the VLP’s work. At other cultural institutions – or even public library systems – leadership giving is often out of the reach of the average person. But not at the VLP!

Donors will receive a recognition letter for tax purposes, as well as good vibes and gratitude (and the always excellent Karma that comes from helping kids find books)!

Double It Up by PayPal

Donate online via PayPal right here.

Double It Up by Credit Card

To avoid PayPal transaction fees, donate via credit card:
Contact
Darran Tilghman
Director of Development
(410) 235-2210 x204
darran@villagelearningplace.org

Double It Up by Check

Checks can be mailed to:
Darran Tilghman
Village Learning Place
2521 Saint Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

Please indicate that your donation is part of the Dewey Donation System, and don’t forget to find out if your company has a matching gift program!!

The VLP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit funded though grants and individual donations. (That’s you.) This year, the VLP is expanding its educational space to serve more patrons at more times throughout the day, and expanding its LINK programming to include preschool and high school-aged children. In order to finance this growth, the VLP hopes to raise a $1 million budget for the first time. That’s a lot of cash! Heeeeelp!

Old School Bookstravaganza Amazon Wishlists

This is our tried and true, always fun way to send books straight into the hands of the people who need them the most.

The VLP’s nascent special collections were developed in response to patron needs. Areas of emphasis are Cookbooks, Gardening, Parenting, and African-American History and Culture. Right now, there’s way too much empty shelf space (which means there’s room to grow!). Browse through the wishlists to some of your favorite books, then make a few clicks and be a superhero without even leaving your computer. Or smartphone. Or iPad. Gosh, aren’t you fancy with the technology? Don’t feel guilty. It’s not judgment. But…maybe you should help someone who has to rely on a public building and tireless volunteers just to be able to use a computer.

Banned Books YOU CLEARED IT OUT!

Given the VLP’s roots in community activism, and to celebrate Banned Books Week in September, the VLP is building its collection of books which have been burned, banned or challenged.

Adults

The VLP’s collection has mostly been built on donations, so the newest and most popular books aren’t always available. Adult patron tastes run from popular fiction to weighty biography. This section also supports the VLP’s GED and computer classes.

African-American History & Culture

This section celebrates African-American history and culture, supporting student and public research and the VLP’s programs on African-American and Baltimore history.

Children

The VLP’s children’s section is its most popular, ranging from board books to science reference to Harry Potter. About one-third of adults in Baltimore City are functionally illiterate: Help make the children’s section a resource where students can learn to read for education and for pleasure.

Cookbooks

Both adults and kids love the VLP’s cookbook section. Given Baltimore’s strong interest in local food, an emphasis on healthy eating in the public schools, and a farmer’s market in the VLP’s neighborhood, this collection aims to promote healthy eating habits and encourage a love of home cooking.

Parenting YOU CLEARED IT OUT!

There are plenty of “oldies but goodies” (i.e., “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”) in the VLP’s parenting collection, but this section needs serious updating in order to serve as a real resource for parents.

Teacher Resources YOU CLEARED IT OUT!

The VLP’s after-school program teachers provide high-quality programming on a shoestring budget. These resources are available to support teaching in the VLP’s programs, and are also used by teachers in the Baltimore City public schools.

Teens YOU CLEARED IT OUT!

In an environment where just over 50% of teens graduate from high school, engaging students’ interest in reading is a challenge. Fill this collection with current, engrossing literature, and watch teens read.

Gardening

The VLP’s inner-city setting means most patrons garden creatively in small spaces. Our collection focuses on urban gardening for food and pleasure.

Donating to the Village Learning Place through their local bookstore

You can buy items from the VLP’s wishlists through The Ivy, and they’ll give you 15% off — plus free delivery! Aren’t indie bookstores the best?

Get your credit card ready and call
The Ivy at (410) 377-2966 and ask for: Greg Szczeszek (A man of many Zs!), or let them know you’re trying to send books via the Dewey Donation System to the Village Learning Place

The Ivy Bookshop
6080 Falls Road
Baltimore, MD 21209

Don’t forget to share your love!

As always, please let us know what you sent and why. Part of the fun of Dewey is sharing stories about our love of reading, of books, and of libraries that made a difference in our lives. We’ll be posting stats and letters from the Village Learning Place as quickly as we can, but the only way we can track the donations in real time is if you let us know.

Okay, so please spread the word, tell your friends, link your blogs, bug your co-workers and most importantly, click and give. Dewey loves you, and so do we.

Oh, and if you haven’t heard: donating to Dewey gives you some kind of freaky good Karma, so you might want to work on your mantra or study your vision board or whatever new-age fad you’re into these days before you make that final click. Good things will happen! And that’s a promise.

Thanks in advance for your awesomocity.