The Erb Law Firm, PC, will be collecting hardback books as part of a Book Drive to benefit the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, a 501(c)(3) organization administered by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Located at 7th and Catherine Street, Fleisher is the oldest tuition-free arts education program in the nation. The program began in 1944 when Samuel Fleisher left an estate, including the Fleisher buildings, valued at $1.8 million, with the stipulation that the Art Memorial is to be used for educational purposes. Fleisher now enrolls more than 4,100 students in 189 courses year-round. With growth have come increased expenses both for staffing the programs and caring for a campus of aging buildings. A decline in income available from the Fleisher Trust and other investments, along with unexpected increases in utilities and insurance mean Fleisher simply cannot cover the costs of delivering 32 free-tuition classes each term for adults, and 25 more for children and parents.
Madeline M. Martin, both attorneys at The Erb Law Firm, P.C., had the opportunity recently to tour Fleisher. They were both impressed. “The art studios on the top floor look like they could have easily been located in Montmartre,” remarked Martin, “and the view is breathtaking.” Erb agreed. And together, they set about to do what they could to help the Memorial.
The idea of the book drive came about during the tour. The Memorial has a lending library on site with a wide range of art and art-related books. The library relies on the donations of others to keep the library stocked for the use of students.
Donations of hard back art and art related books will be used to stock the library. The Memorial has an arrangement with a book seller to compensate the Memorial for other hard back books (no paperbacks or text books, please) that cannot be used at the library but can be resold. So, please dust off your hard back books and bring them during business hours to The Erb Law Firm, PC, Philadelphia office located at 5901 Ridge Avenue. If you cannot come to the office, please call 215.508.4419 and arrangements can be made to pick up the books. The book drive will be ongoing from July 15 to August 14.
Your donations are greatly appreciated!
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