ANNUAL APPEAL
Annually, Charleston Library Society membership dues account for a very small percentage of funds needed to support its operations. To raise additional funds, the Charleston Library Society has instituted an Annual Appeal Campaign with a number of gift categories, which honor the men and women most responsible for our success.

Frederick A. Porcher Circle (Gifts over $5,000)
Frederick Adolphus Porcher (1809-1888) became librarian pro tempore in 1854. When the Civil War began, he moved the Library Society's collections to the College of Charleston and Columbia, where they remained safe from the devastating fires that destroyed much of both cities. After the war, he spearheaded efforts to restore and rejuvenate the Society.

William Dennison Porter Circle (Gifts from $1,000-$4,999)
William Dennison Porter (1810-1883) was President of the Apprentices and Minor’s Library Society and oversaw its merger with the Charleston Library Society during the post-Civil War economic depression. He served as president of the Charleston Library Society for years afterward.

Ellen Milliken FitzSimons Circle (Gifts from $500-$999)
Ellen Milliken FitzSimons (1862-1953) became librarian in 1899 and served until her retirement in 1948. She was the Society’s first professionally trained librarian, and she introduced a modern library catalog and classification system that is still in use.

William Ashmead Courtenay Circle (Gifts from $100-499)
William Ashmead Courtenay (1831-1908) was Mayor of Charleston and a businessman, bookseller, bibliophile, and benefactor of the Society. He led an early effort to obtain Carnegie money for a new, modern, and fireproof building. He provided much needed leadership to the Library Society.

Stephen Elliott Circle (Gifts from $1-$99)
Stephen Elliott (1771-1830) was a banker, legislator, and pioneer botanist, who served as the Society’s president from 1816-1825 during some of its glory years as a preeminent intellectual and cultural organization.

The Charleston Library Society’s Annual Fund Campaign is crucial to the organization’s efforts to offer its members and patrons the finest services and programs possible. We urge you to give generously to this campaign.

Please mail your contributions to Annual Appeal Campaign, Charleston Library Society, 164 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or call 843-723-9912 to make a donation with a credit card.