March 26, 2025
Valley of the Tetons Library Friends Expands to Become Valley of the Tetons Library Foundation and Friends
The Valley of the Tetons Library (VTL) is proud to announce the reorganization of the Valley of the Tetons Library Friends into the newly formed Valley of the Tetons Library Foundation and Friends. This transition marks an exciting new chapter in the library’s ability to serve the community by enhancing fundraising efforts, ensuring long-term financial stability, and strengthening public engagement.
For years, the VTL Friends have been an invaluable force behind the success of the Valley of the Tetons Library, organizing the annual July 4th book sale, managing Tin Cup fundraising, advocating for literacy and supporting library renovations and enhancements. Their dedication has made a lasting impact, helping to build a vibrant and connected library community.
However, as the library continues to grow—particularly with upcoming expansion projects—the need for a more sustainable and structured fundraising approach has become clear. By transitioning to a Foundation and Friends model, the organization will be better positioned to secure major gifts, manage capital campaigns, and establish long-term funding sources while maintaining the grassroots advocacy and volunteer-driven activities that have always been at its heart.
“We are deeply grateful for the work of VTL Friends and their incredible support over the years,” said Emily Bahr, Director of External Affairs and Advancement. “This transition is a natural evolution that allows us to build on their success while creating a more robust financial foundation to support the library’s future.”
Jill Callahan, President of the Valley of the Tetons Library Friends, echoed this excitement, saying, “The Friends have always been dedicated to supporting the library, and this transition allows us to do even more. By establishing a foundation, we can secure larger donations, plan for long-term financial stability, and ensure that the library continues to thrive for generations to come. We are excited to welcome new members to join us in this next phase of support.”
Though Valley of the Tetons Library Foundation and Friends will be governed under one umbrella to achieve a cohesive entity, the Foundation and Friends will have two distinct focus areas to support the library. VTL Foundation will focus on securing philanthropic funding, grants, and endowments, ensuring the library’s long-term sustainability. Meanwhile, the VTL Friends will continue their essential role in community outreach, event organization, and advocacy efforts. Together, these two branches will work in tandem to support and grow the library’s mission.
Call for Volunteers
As part of this transition, the Valley of the Tetons Library Foundation and Friends is actively seeking passionate individuals to join its Board of Directors or serve on a committee dedicated to fundraising, community engagement, and library advocacy. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the library and make a lasting impact on the community.
If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about how you can contribute, please contact Emily Bahr, Director of External Affairs and Advancement at e.bahr@valleyofthetetonslibrary.org.
About Valley of the Tetons Library
Valley of the Tetons Library’s mission is to inspire lifelong learning, encourage exploration and creativity and enrich our community. We offer library services online and at four locations throughout Teton County, Idaho.
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This document was generated with AI using VTL provided content and reviewed for accuracy.
For more information, please contact:
Susan Strayer
Communications Manager
Valley of the Tetons Library
s.strayer@valleyofthetetonslibrary.org
208-354-5522 Driggs Branch