Library district opens nonprofit center

FORT COLLINS — Poudre River Public Library District has established the Harmony Nonprofit Center, located at Harmony Library, as a resource for nonprofit organizations, agencies and small-business entrepreneurs in Northern Colorado.

In just the past year, the Library District has seen a 250 percent increase in contacts with nonprofits making use of library resources, programs and services. The center is open by appointment during regular library hours.

“The Library District has worked to fill the gap in services for nonprofits that emerged after the closing of the community’s previous center,” Ken Draves, deputy director of Poudre River Public Library District and manager at Harmony Library, said in a written statement. “Providing nonprofit organizations with access to information, research and specialized consulting is a natural extension of what the library does for the community.”

The new Harmony Nonprofit Center houses the Library District’s nonprofit librarian, Sarah Scobey, and business librarian, Molly Thompson, and provides a dedicated space for consultations on all aspects of an organization’s operation and development and to provide educational opportunities and programs. Additionally, the center provides easy access to the nearby nonprofit, business and career reference collection.

“The Harmony Nonprofit Center is a wonderful resource. Our local nonprofit group has been trying to find possible grant and donation possibilities interested in supporting our cause, but was not sure where to start,” said Kate Norton with Fort Collins Days for Girls. “We met with Sarah Scobey at the Harmony Nonprofit Center and learned about the library databases available to search for specific options. We found many companies and foundations that would be possible candidates. It saved us time and opened our eyes to great opportunities to continue our nonprofit efforts.”

With more than 900 nonprofits registered in Fort Collins alone, the Library District expects to see ongoing demand for library services. Along with the new Harmony Nonprofit Center space, the district continues to partner with Front Range Community College — Larimer Campus, the Small Business Development Center and community agencies such as United Way of Larimer County.

The Harmony Nonprofit Center is located at Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St. in Fort Collins.

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