FODL History & Purpose In 1999, when the Library Board decided to purchase land for a new library, several community leaders realized that a fund-raising organization should be formed to help the project.

Attorney Jim Cothern and his wife, Della, generously offered to research and prepare the legal documents to form a tax-exempt organization (under IRS code section 501(c)3). This structure and legal status would allow the group maximum flexibility to apply for and receive grants and charitable contributions.

In 2000, the Friends of the Darby Community Public Library (FODL) was officially granted status with the IRS. For the first three years, this status is always considered “provisional” until the IRS is able to review tax returns, activities, etc. and make a final determination. That determination will be made in 2005.

The FODL has three major purposes:
Raise funds to help the Library’s building project and ongoing operations and activities;
Education of public and other parties as to the services, benefits and activities of the Library; and Engage the Darby community in both of the above activities, particularly stressing that the Library is THEIRS and everyone involved wants it to respond to community needs.