Community donations help local library

Correction: It has been pointed out to me that I made errors in the information I submitted to the Daily Bee for an article which ran Nov. 19, 2010 on the Idaho tax credit for donations to public libraries. I gave outdated information!.

The Idaho tax credit was increased in 2002 to a maximum of $100 on an individual return, $200 on a joint return, and $1,000 on a corporate return. These are the maximum amounts, depend on the amount of your taxes, and each person’s situation is unique, so check with your tax preparer. It is not necessary to itemize to claim this Idaho tax credit and it is a way to redirect part of your Idaho income tax to your local library.

The information on the Friends of the Library matching grant was correct. Our Sandpoint Friends of the Library is matching up to $3,000 in donations.

I have made my donation to the library’s Sustainable Living Collection and am thrilled it will be matched. The Sustainable Living collection includes materials on gardening, alternative energy and energy efficiency, environmentally friendly living, supporting local economies, etc., and is very popular.

Information on the tax credit is available at the library information desk and also at http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/public-library-contribution-tax-credit. Checks can be dropped off at the Sandpoint or Clark Fork libraries or the bookmobile or mailed to: East Bonner County Library District, 1407 Cedar St., Sandpoint, ID 83864; the phone number is 263-6930.

The Friends will match donations made through December 31, 2010 and donations must also be made by that date in order to be claimed on 2010 tax forms. I think I got that all of that right this time. Your donations are very much appreciated and are a real benefit to library users.

GLORIA RAY

Sandpoint