A study of the needs and desires of the community for the Beaufort Library System determined that sufficient funding to meet these needs and desires was not now available, nor would be available in the future, from local, state and federal political sources. Thus, the Library Board of Trustees appointed a Blue Ribbon Task Force to determine how to gain additional funds on a continuing basis. The Task Force examined many options, and concluded that a charitable library foundation was needed.

The Trustees appointed a committee to define and establish a foundation. The committee examined library foundations that exist for most library systems throughout the country, and determined that the foundation should be independent of the library and the Board of Trustees, while working with them, and should provide tax exemption for contributors. Further, it felt that an endowment fund would have the most impact on the foundation’s ability to provide supplemental funds on a continuing basis.

Thus, in August of 2005 the Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County was born with the appointment of its first Board. Its charitable status was assured by gaining tax exempt 501(c) 3 status, and registering with the state of South Carolina as a tax exempt charitable organization.