25 Years Strong
A Campaign honoring our past and sustaining our future.
Since the new building opened its doors 25 years ago, the York Public Library has been the center of community life in York. It is the place where we spend a rainy afternoon, attend a meeting, bring our children, ask our tech questions, feed our curiosity, and meet friends.
In the last quarter century, York Public Library has evolved dramatically to meet the changing needs of our community. Our purposeful growth, built in response to user feedback, has increased both our operating hours, materials selection and programming offerings, as well as our budget. Alongside these increases, building maintenance costs are also on the rise.
As an independent nonprofit, the Library receives approximately 75% of its operating funding from the Town of York. The remaining 25% of the budget, and all building expenses, are funded solely by generous donations.
As we celebrate 25 years in our building and the growth that has come with it, we ask for your investment in the future of the Library. We cannot sustain the level of service we have come to depend on as a community, nor maintain our beloved building, without the support of donors like you.
Our Story is Growth
Library Visitors
As hours and services have grown, so have visits to the library. In 2025, we tracked 101,489 visits to the library, more than six times the number of visits in 2002. Adult Program attendance has increased nine-fold, and Children’s participation and activities has increased three-fold in the past two decades.
Your Support Will Fund:
Critical Building Maintenance and Ongoing Stewardship
Upkeep and maintenance inside and out, including: exterior trim rot; basement leak; masonry repair and railing replacement; removal of dead trees; new carpeting for our 25,000 square foot building; and two quiet study room pods.
Building Efficiency Upgrades
Weatherization for increased energy efficiency: air sealing and insulation projects as outlined in our recent energy audit.
Expanded Programming and Library Collections
Nurturing the excellent programs and collections on which the community relies.
Endowment: Build financial resilience for the long term
Enduring support through a strong endowment. Endowment support allows us to safeguard access, innovation, and excellence not just for today, but for decades to come.
Three-Year Campaign Goal: $900,000
Naming Opportunities
We celebrate the generosity of all donors to our 25th anniversary campaign. Donors of any amount will be acknowledged in 25 Years Strong campaign reports and print and digital materials. For those who give at the $1,000 level and above, we offer special naming opportunities to honor the lasting impact of your generosity to the Library and the York community.
Annual Pledge of $1,000 – $9,900
In appreciation of their support and commitment to the Library’s mission, the names of donors making annual gifts within this range will be included on an attractive plaque in the York Public Library lobby.
Annual Pledge of $10,000 +
Donors contributing $10,000 or more annually will have the opportunity to name a bookshelf in the Library’s adult collection. Shelves may be dedicated in the donor’s name or in honor or memory of a loved one, creating a lasting tribute.