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Elizabethtown Public Library

EIN 23-1628480 · Elizabethtown, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE: EDUCATING, EMPOWERING, AND ENRICHING THE GREATER ELIZABETHTOWN AREA BY STIMULATING LEARNING, LITERACY, AND THE ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL, INFORMATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL BOOKS, RESOURCES, AND PROGRAMS.

Income
$874,695
Spending
$968,803
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
20.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 42%
Employees
29
Volunteers
115
Highest pay
$85,297, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $794,722 spent. THE LIBRARY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LITERACY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS HOUSED AND LOANED TO THE PUBLIC AT THEIR REQUEST, PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN THROUGH ADULTS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS FEATURING SPEAKERS AND MUSICIANS TO ENTERTAIN AND INFORM. THE LIBRARY STIMULATES LEARNING IN VARIOUS WAYS. ONE IS THE YEAR-LONG WORLD CAFE PROGRAM. THE COFFEE COMPANY SUPPORTS THE MISSION THROUGH THE WORLD CAFE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, INFORMATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES HIGHLIGHTING VARIOUS COUNTRIES, CULTURES, AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. PEOPLES DREAMS AND CAREER ASPIRATIONS ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH PASSPORT SERVICES, FINGERPRINTING, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MATERIALS AVAILABLE RELATED TO CAREERS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. MORE THAN 15,000 PEOPLE HAVE ACTIVE LIBRARY CARDS FOR ELIZABETHTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY. MANY PEOPLE WHO USE THE LIBRARY ON A DAILY BASIS DO NOT HAVE A LIBRARY CARD AND ONLY USE LIBRARY SERVICES WHEN THEY ARE AT THE LIBRARY. FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSECURITY TO THOSE WHO LIVE COMFORTABLY, THE LIBRARY IS HERE FOR EVERYONE. MAKING AN EFFORT TO REPRESENT ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND POINTS OF VIE, THE LIBRARY STRIVES TO BE A PLACE WHERE ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE WELCOME AND SERVED WELL. THE LIBRARY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LITERACY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS HOUSED AND LOANED TO THE PUBLIC AT THEIR REQUEST, PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN THROUGH ADULTS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS FEATURING SPEAKERS AND MUSICIANS TO ENTERTAIN AND INFORM. THE LIBRARY STIMULATES LEARNING IN VARIOUS WAYS. ONE IS THE YEAR-LONG WORLD CAFE PROGRAM. THE COFFEE COMPANY SUPPORTS THE MISSION THROUGH THE WORLD CAFE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, INFORMATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES HIGHLIGHTING VARIOUS COUNTRIES, CULTURES, AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. PEOPLES DREAMS AND CAREER ASPIRATIONS ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH PASSPORT SERVICES, FINGERPRINTING, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MATERIALS AVAILABLE RELATED TO CAREERS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. MORE THAN 15,000 PEOPLE HAVE ACTIVE LIBRARY CARDS FOR ELIZABETHTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY. MANY PEOPLE WHO USE THE LIBRARY ON A DAILY BASIS DO NOT HAVE A LIBRARY CARD AND ONLY USE LIBRARY SERVICES WHEN THEY ARE AT THE LIBRARY. FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSECURITY TO THOSE WHO LIVE COMFORTABLY, THE LIBRARY IS HERE FOR EVERYONE. MAKING AN EFFORT TO REPRESENT ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND POINTS OF VIE, THE LIBRARY STRIVES TO BE A PLACE WHERE ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE WELCOME AND SERVED WELL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1960.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.