County's Public Library System Receives Record-High Endowment from Resident

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Contact: Diane Leatherman, 240-777-0020

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2001

County's Public Library System
Receives Record-High Endowment from Resident

Public libraries throughout Montgomery County will benefit from the generosity of a Chevy Chase resident and library patron who has bequeathed more than $650,000 to the local system.

In his bequest, the late Lawrence J. Bloch directed that the funds be used within 10 years for the "benefit of all Montgomery County libraries." Bloch was a career government employee who worked in the Chief Accountant's Office of the Securities and Exchanges Commission from 1958 until his retirement in 1981. After that time, he was active with the Institute for Learning in Retirement and supported many local causes. The New York native moved from the District of Columbia to Chevy Chase 10 years prior to his death in February 1999. A similar bequest was also given to the District of Columbia public library system.

The endowment, which will be managed and disbursed by the Friends of the Library, is the largest in the history of the local organization. The mission of the Friends is to promote the resources, services and needs of the Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) through advocacy, education and community support and to enhance the programs and services of the system by identifying and acquiring funding outside the department's annual budget allocation.

Friends President Susan Schmidt said, "Mr. Bloch valued his books and music and appreciated and used the public libraries. This substantial bequest will enable the Friends to plan for the future and make available a larger source of funding to further libraries' individual needs."

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan said, "Through Mr. Bloch's bequest and his love of books, he has left a legacy that will impact library users in Montgomery County for generations to come."

Department of Public Libraries Director Harriet Henderson commented that "Mr. Bloch's wish to make a lasting gift for the Montgomery County public libraries is greatly appreciated. It is especially appropriate that we're able to announce it as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our public library system."

According to Schmidt and Henderson, the Friends and Montgomery County Public Libraries will work together and use the Bloch request to:

· Stimulate interest in and use of libraries for every County resident by promoting equal access to public library services;
· Enhance the quality of library services to meet the needs of residents and enrich the County's multicultural community; and
· Promote literacy through programs and events.

For more information about bequests to the public library system, call the Friends of the Library at 240-777-0020.

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