| Contact: |
Alexandra Gressitt
Thomas Balch Library Director
703-737-7196
Betsy Fields
Research & Communications Manager
703-771-2734 |
Leesburg, VA (December 30, 2009) – Town of Leesburg officials announced today that the Thomas Balch Library has received a $250,000 bequest from the estate of Virginia L. Bowie. Ms. Bowie, who passed away on September 4, 2008, was a longtime volunteer and supporter of the Library and a resident of the Town. According to Library Director Alexandra Gressitt, Ms. Bowie’s volunteer work in transcribing documents and indexing the Library’s collections was tremendously valuable.
“Although a very unassuming and private person, Ms. Bowie was extraordinarily generous to the Library, with her time and talents as a volunteer, and now, with this bequest,” Ms. Gressitt commented upon learning of the donation.
Town staff are evaluating potential uses of the $250,000, which was bequeathed as an unrestricted gift to the Library. One possibility is the establishment of an endowment fund focused on the long-term needs of the Library.
In addition to the monetary bequest, Ms. Bowie also gave a stone fountain to the Library. The fountain is currently in storage while staff determine the best location for it.