Columbia, MD - November 3, 2009 - Howard County Library, Friends of Howard County Library and The Columbia Foundation are partnering to celebrate the Foundation’s 40th anniversary by promoting charitable giving and volunteering in Howard County.

The Library has prepared two lists of books related to “giving back” to the community, through charitable giving, volunteering and helping friends and family. One list includes books for teenagers and adults; the other has books appropriate for children in elementary and middle school. The lists are available at each of the Library’s six branches and online at www.hclibrary.org/friends.

The Friends of Howard County Library is one of 25 Howard County nonprofit organizations with an agency endowment at The Columbia Foundation. These endowments help provide organizations smaller than the Foundation with financial security and growth, without the administrative costs of managing the funds.

“We are proud to join the Friends of Howard County Library in celebrating the Columbia Foundation's 40th anniversary this year. The Friends' endowment at the Foundation has funded such signature initiatives as DEAR, Battle of the Books, the Summer Reading Clubs, and Choose Civility. Here's to another wonderful 40 years!” remarked Howard County Library CEO Valerie J. Gross.

The Library developed the book lists to recognize the importance of the endowment program to the nonprofit community, and in turn, the importance of the nonprofit community to the quality of life in Howard County. Beverley Francis, President and CEO of The Columbia Foundation, says the partnership is “a wonderful way to promote giving in our community, particularly by children.”

For more information about the Friends of Howard County Library endowment, call 410-313-7750 or visit www.hclibrary.org/friends. Information about The Columbia Foundation’s 40th anniversary events is available at www.columbiafoundation.org.

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded over $10 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the Foundation’s endowment supported by over 240 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.