So let us all prepare for a new way of thinking for the next month or so.

Namely, the fact we’re embarking upon a big fundraising effort to ensure the Library continues to operate and comply with health and safety laws.  (And if you’ve yet to do so, get your tickets for the astonishing Philip Glass/Joanna Newsom/Tim Fain show here before it sells out.)

As you immerse yourself in this new reality and think about possibly donating, we’ll be passing along various thought-pieces/food for thought kinds of things. Things to get you thinking…(about donating.  The rewards are incredible; click here.)

For example.  This is the first “official” capital improvement fundraising request we have sent – ever.

Shiny happy people: HMML staff and volunteers, circa 2011!

This is no coincidence. The Library’s funding model is unique: we subsist thanks to book sales, event-related income, “micro” donations, and small grants.  We think that’s cool.

As you know, most non-profits are always looking for money and are always fundraising.  Nothing wrong with that, of course.  But we’ve been fortunate to not have to do that: we get great shows, which helps pay the bills (a little); people keep buying books here, bucking a national trend, and people leave money in our donation boxes.

Last year’s Kickstarter thing amazing, but, given our 30-year history, was kind of an anomaly from a fund-raising perspective, and regardless, the figure we needed to raise was, to quote my old boss in DC – and forgive me for this – “mice nuts” compared to the challenge we’re facing.

Bottom line: our “no-donation-harassment” model worked swimmingly — 30 years, really! – until now.  We’re in a bind.

Another bottom line: Non-profits and for-profit businesses do renovation work all the time; we’re no different.  (Well, I mean, we are a little different from your typical business.)

Last bottom line: Your generous financial support is greatly appreciated!   Thank you!