Jacobs offers $10 million match for library donations

Scott Nunes,
Posted:

Scott Nunes

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs and his wife Joan
will match up to $10 million in donations to the new San Diego Central Library
until the facility opens in late September, the library's foundation announced
Wednesday.

The offer by Jacobs, who has already given $20 million to the project in
the East Village, is designed to help the foundation reach its private
fundraising goal.

Jay Hill, chief executive officer of the foundation, told City News
Service the fundraising effort remains $15 million short.

“It's not unusual for organizations to carry some debt past an opening,
so the opportunity to wipe out our debt is very exciting for us, just
tremendous,” Hill said.

The project's overall price tag is $185 million, he said.

Most funds were raised from public sources, including $20 million from
the San Diego Unified School District, which will operate a charter school on
the top two floors.

An additional $10 million is necessary to cover operating expenses over
the next five years above what it would have cost to continue running the
recently closed main library on E Street, according to Hill.

“There are still many (naming) opportunities at all levels,” Hill
said, noting that donors can have their names placed on bricks or auditorium
chairs, or — for the sum of $15 million — on the auditorium itself.

Thanks to Jacobs' offer, donations given over the next almost three
months will be doubled, he said. The facility is scheduled to open to the
public on Sept. 28.

The old main library was closed last month, and collections are being
moved to the new building. Library officials say they'll have much more space
to display interesting items that previously had to be kept in storage, and
will have room for more programs.

Irwin Jacobs issued a statement saying the new library “will be an ever-
evolving resource for all San Diegans, and we invite you to join Joan, myself
and your many fellow San Diegans who have committed to support this amazing
facility.”

Information about donations can be found at supportmylibrary.org or by
calling (619) 238-6638.

Categories: KUSI