Yes, We Are Legit.

The Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your gift will be fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, as no goods or services will be provided to you in exhange for this contribution. A financial statement for the Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation is available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services upon request.

Tax Funding

Tax Funding of ESPL

Neither Virginia, nor Accomack or Northampton Counties, has any provision or program for funding library construction. Such public funds are provided by special appropriation, as described above with respect to $2,000,000 from Accomack County and $1,500,000 from Virginia. The capital campaign will seek additional public funds from Northampton County and Federal and state grants. 

Tax funds do support ESPL, but all of those taxes go to cover annual operating costs. County funding is shared between Accomack (75%) and Northampton (25%) Counties. The Library of Virginia has a formula, based on population, land mass, and county support, that provides more public funding.  A very small amount is made up from fines and fees, donations, and program grants.  These funds do not support building projects.