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Once there were two newspapers in Evanston for two distinct communities: the Evanston Review, which was the primary news for a white audience, and the Newsette, which was for a primarily black audience. Both of these papers are important to understand the collective history of Evanston, but until recently they have been maintained separately by two different organizations - EPL and Shorefront Legacy Center.
In partnership with Shorefront, EPL has digitally desegregated this piece of our history. Both collections have been digitized, scanned, indexed, and are now keyword-searchable. Today they live together as part of EPL’s permanent digital collection. Read more about the program here.
“In many ways, [the digital desegregation project] allows Evanston to really explore its community identity and gives us an opportunity to dive into history to create a usable past," explains Michael DeVaul, long-standing member of the Evanston community and most recently Co-Creator of The 847 Series, designed to foster intergenerational conversations and connection. "One of the most powerful areas of focus for me is the power of self-identity. This drives our life's purpose - and it comes from many sources. While Evanston embraced me throughout middle school and high school, and my parents and family were spectacular, I still needed the village to support the development of my full potential. So much of who we are, is what we explore. Bravo to the Library for its focus, count me in as an avid supporter. Let’s keep the Public in the Library and access available to and for all.”
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This new resource offers an integrated, one-search platform for supporting Evanston’s anti-racism work and helping dismantle systemic racism in the city. Your unrestricted support enables the Library to build access, diversify collections and modernize resources - in spite of the fact that we are funded at a fraction of our neighboring libraries. Please make your gift today.
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A gift of any size is an affirmation that this community understands the value of our public library, where all voices are heard.
Thank you for giving!
Join EPL's Leadership or Monthly Giving and support our inclusive programming
A gift of $10 per month supports the diversification of our collection, such as purchasing as many as 12 books by authors with known underrepresented identities. Monthly Giving also spreads the Library Love across the year. Choose the “Recurring Donation” box on the gift form to choose this option.
Leadership Gifts of $1,000 or more supports programs that encourage dialogue, such as the Dedicated to the Dream program, a family workshop designed for children and families to talk about race together and affirm all shades of skin.
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Why taxes aren't enough
While property taxes are the majority of the Evanston Public Library’s income, this tax revenue does not fully fund EPL’s work. In FY2023, 12.1% of EPL’s overall budget, or approximately $1 million, will come from non-tax revenue such as grants and individual donations. Without these donated dollars, EPL would not be able to provide the programs and services it does today.
EPL receives significantly less from taxes than our peer libraries in the surrounding area. On average, EPL receives $93 per resident per year in taxes.
 Donations to the Evanston Public Library are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Your donation provides general support to the Library. The possibilities are endless, but our resources are not. We hope you’ll consider making a gift today — we need your support. Make your donation a recurring gift and spread your Library Love across the whole year!
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Thank You!
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Together we are the Library!
For 150 years, the Library has provided educational, culturally-rich resources for all residents, helped children prepare for school through the joys of reading and learning, celebrated Evanston’s diversity, and helped residents find information they seek. The Library is more than a building of books; it is a place to meet, connect, learn, and explore. To learn more, visit www.epl.org.
Questions? Contact: Wynn Shawver, Chief Development Officer
wshawver@cityofevanston.org
Phone: (847) 448-8657
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