Dear Friends,
I hope you are finding time to enjoy the beautiful new Larkspur Library this summer.
One of the greatest rewards since the library opened has been hearing from donors, residents, and patrons about how much they enjoy this wonderful community gathering place. Whether it’s the welcoming Children’s Room, the flexible meeting spaces, or the inviting outdoor seating areas, it’s inspiring to see the library being enjoyed by people of all ages.
Many community members have also shared that they would love to see the library open more days and for longer hours. The City is aware of this growing demand and is exploring ways to better serve our community.
In addition, TCF is working with Library Director Damon Hill to identify opportunities to expand library programs, services, and collections that enrich the lives of children, families, teens, and older adults.
Building Stronger Library Collections
To help address these growing needs, I’m pleased to announce that TCF is launching a new initiative to provide annual funding to strengthen the Larkspur Library’s collections and help bring its materials budget more in line with those of other MARINet libraries.
The figures below show the Library’s current annual City funding for each collection area, followed by the funding level we hope to achieve through annual support from TCF.
Current City Funding → Funding with TCF Support
Adult Books: $22,500 → $42,500 (+$20,000 from TCF)
Children’s Books: $11,000 → $20,000 (+$9,000 from TCF)
eBooks: $4,000 → $20,000 (+$16,000 from TCF)
For the adult collection, these additional funds would expand the library’s high-demand titles so patrons can find popular books on the shelves instead of waiting for holds to become available.
The adult materials budget would also support the growing Teen, Graphic Novel, and Manga collections, all of which have seen tremendous increases in popularity since moving into the new library.
Children’s book circulation has increased by approximately 33% compared to the old library, demonstrating strong demand from local families and highlighting the need to continue investing in that collection.
Not surprisingly, ebooks have become nearly as popular as physical materials. In June 2026, patrons checked out 6,436 ebooks compared to 8,207 physical books, underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong digital collection alongside print offerings.
The success of the new library has brought with it an exciting challenge: demand for books and digital materials has grown faster than the City’s collections budget. With your support, TCF can help close that gap and ensure that library patrons of all ages have access to the books and digital resources they want and need.
Celebrating Independence Day
Larky, our ever-popular library mascot, joined me for the Larkspur Fourth of July Parade, where children greeted Larky with smiles, waves, and plenty of high-fives. It was a joyful celebration and a wonderful reminder of what this library means to our community.
The parade also allowed me to thank so many of you — our generous donors — for believing in our vision from the very beginning. Your support helped make this extraordinary library and community gathering place a reality, and we are deeply grateful for your continued partnership.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we are honored that The Commons Foundation was recently recognized by the Larkspur City Council as Organization of the Year. This recognition belongs to every donor, volunteer, and supporter who believed in the vision of creating a vibrant library for our community.
With the successful completion of our capital campaign, The Commons Foundation has entered an exciting new chapter. Our mission now is to help sustain and enhance the library by supporting innovative programs, lifelong learning opportunities, cultural events, and community activities that make our library such a special place.
We would love to hear your ideas. What programs, events, or services would you like to see at the library? Please email us at admin@thecommonsatlarkspur.org. Your suggestions may help shape the future of this wonderful community resource.
Supporting the Library’s Future
Your continued tax-deductible support of The Commons Foundation helps make possible the programs, collections, and experiences that go beyond the City’s operating budget, ensuring that our library remains a vibrant destination for learning, creativity, and community connection for generations to come.
Leave a Lasting Legacy
If you are considering ways to leave a lasting legacy, I invite you to include The Commons Foundation in your estate plans. A charitable bequest is a meaningful way to help ensure that future generations enjoy the same vibrant library our community cherishes today. If you would like more information or sample bequest language to share with your attorney, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your generosity, your enthusiasm, and your continued belief in the power of libraries to bring communities together.
On behalf of The Commons Foundation Board of Directors, I wish you and your family a wonderful summer.
Warm regards,
Ann Morrison
President, The Commons Foundation
How to Donate to The Commons Foundation (TCF) for the New Library
Your continued tax-deductible support of The Commons Foundation helps make possible the programs, collections, and experiences that go beyond the City’s operating budget. This ensures that our library remains a vibrant destination for learning, creativity, and community connection for generations to come.
- To donate, please visit thecommonsatlarkspur.org/ways-to-support/. Options include:
- Making a one-time or recurring donation through PayPal or your credit card
- Mailing a check to The Commons Foundation, PO Box 846, Larkspur, CA 94977
- Making a one-time donation through your donor-advised fund (DAF) or retirement fund
- Reaching out to me, Ann Morrison. Let’s have a coffee!
Please email admin@thecommonsatlarkspur.org with questions. As a reminder, most donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a gift acknowledgement by mail for tax purposes.
We appreciate all donations in support for this vital community asset. Thank you.