In mid-January, Amazon announced that it was ending its AmazonSmile charitable program on Feb. 20, 2023. The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., was one of the thousands of organizations using this to encourage local residents to support the library when they shopped online.
Although it wasn’t a huge fundraiser for the Library, it did provide unrestricted revenue over the years. To keep up that momentum, the Library is now using iGive, which is a similar free shopping service that has been in operation since 1997.
iGive members generate donations by shopping online at any of the registered 2,100+ stores. There are no added costs, obligations, nor any hidden fees. You don’t need to enter any codes, notify the store, or iGive. It’s all automatic.
When iGive members shop via special links, an “iGive Cookie” is assigned to your browser. This tells the store, “Here is an iGive Member.” The store reports back with this number and the purchase amounts so they can calculate the donation to your cause. iGive.com never has access to any payment information.
To use iGive to support the James V. Brown Library, you can do any of the following:
– Click on a store link directly from iGive.com or iGive.com/mobile sites. (You must be logged in): https://www.iGive.com/JamesVBrownLibrary.
– Install the iGive Button and shop online as you normally would
– Shop via the free iGive App for iPhone, iPad or Android (visit the App Store and search “iGive” – free)
– Click on the iGive button here: https://jvbrown.edu/support-the-library/
By using an iGive link to the store’s website, you shop as you normally would. There are no extra steps, no iGive notifications when making payments. The donations happen behind the scenes, and often the store’s support teams are unaware of the iGive Program.
Note that iGive and uses cookies to track and report donations for your cause. If you use the “Do not track” function built into your browser, or employ cookie blocking software, then iGive will not work properly.
iGive has more than 2,100 participating stores, including Advance Auto Parts, Aerie, Aeropastale, Ann Taylor, Avon, Banana Republic, Bark Box, Bass Pro Shops, Burt’s Bees, Cabela’s, Carter’s, Chewy, Coach Outlet, David’s Bridal, Dollar Tree, Gap, Hello Fresh, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn, Instacart, Kohl’s, Land’s End, Macy’s, Michael Kors, Old Navy, QVC, Sephora, shopDisney, Tractor Supply, and Walmart.com.
For more information, contact the Library’s Development, Marketing and Public Relations Director at 570-327-2957.
The James V. Brown Library is open for browsing and holds pick up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit http://www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. The library also is open for public computer usage and for services such as printing, faxing, copying and scanning. Walk-in passport services are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through and from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.
