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Friends of the Anacortes Public Library
Special update: August, 2020
A Message from the President: Greetings to our members! The Board has decided to provide these special updates as a way of keeping in frequent touch with our members beyond our quarterly newsletters. You will notice that we are sending updates by email to many of our members, which reduces the considerable expense of snail mail. You also will find our updates on our website at https://www.friendsoftheanacorteslibrary.org/ If you are currently receiving a hard copy of the updates, please consider sharing your email with us as a way for the FOL to contain costs so we will have more money to give to the Library.
Linda Falken, President, FOL
A New Appointment: Congratulations to Jeff Vogel on his appointment as the new Anacortes Public Library Director! Jeff has been with the APL for 13 years, and during that time he has demonstrated a strong collaborative approach to working with the FOL. We look forward to continuing this strong relationship under his competent leadership.
Many Thanks: The FOL Board is pleased to report that recent donations plus responses to the fund-raising letter sent to FOL members have netted over $10,000. These funds will help to make up over a third of our usual FriendShop revenues, which have been lost because of the book store’s closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. A big thank you to all our generous donor-members! Your help supports the Library’s purchase of new books and the many online programs created by Library staff.
Library Director Jeff Vogel reports that “The library’s book budget has been suspended due to the current situation, so the Friends support is more crucial than ever. Normally, income from the Friends accounts for about 30% of the library’s overall book budget, but right now it is a 100%. We would not be able to buy any new books without the Friends, but it is a finite resource because the bookshop isn’t bringing in new revenue. We really appreciate your ongoing support of the Friends!”
Can You Help? A second fund-raising letter is in the works to be sent to Anacortes community members. Like the letter that was sent to FOL members, this one also will contain a color-your-own bookmark thanks to Board member Megan Taylor. On the back of the bookmark, find out how valuable your local library is to you by using the calculator, developed by the Massachusetts Library Association. If you know of someone you think would like to donate, please contact Megan at megantaylor200@gmail.com
Fund-raising Ideas: The Board also is looking for ways to raise additional funds for the library as the City has had to cut budgets across all departments. Do you, our FOL members, have suggestions for how we might raise additional funds? What would you like the FOL to try? For example, should we try to hold an outdoor book sale where we could wear masks and have social distancing? What about on online auction? We welcome your ideas! Contact Linda at lfalken@whidbey.com or at 360 293 7213.
Friends of the Anacortes Public Library
Special update: July 14, 2020
The Board of the Friends of the Library hope that you are well and making the best of this unusual—and historic—period. We are continuing to meet each month via Zoom to discuss what steps we can take to fulfill our mission to support the Anacortes Public Library. Although the Library building remains closed, patrons can request materials through the Library’s online catalog, and pick-up books following the designated procedures. The exterior book returns are available at set times. For more information, visit the library’s website at https://www.anacorteswa.gov/1183/LIBRARY-UPDATES. Library staff are available by phone (360-293-1910) or email (library@cityofanacortes.org ) to answer your questions.
---Linda Falken, President, FOL
A Resignation: It is with great reluctance that the Board has accepted Barbara King’s resignation as FriendShop manager. We greatly appreciate all that Barbara has done to make the FriendShop a great place to shop, and she will be sorely missed. Thank you, Barbara, for all your hard work and generous support for the FriendShop and the FOL!
Update on the FriendShop: The FriendShop, unfortunately, will remain closed until the county has reached Stage 4 of the Covid-19 recovery as designated by the state. We are following the decision of the other local thrift shops, such as the Red Door, Kiwanis and Soroptomists to remain closed until that time. Our first priority is to protect all our wonderful volunteers and patrons! We have received a number of comments from FOL members that they miss being able to visit the FS—we share your disappointment! Please stay tuned for future announcements regarding our opening status.
Fundraising Letter: By now many of you have received the FOL’s first fundraising letter. Because we are not able to operate the FriendShop, our revenues have dropped considerably. The City’s sales tax revenue also is down, which is having a significant impact on the Library’s budget. At this time, we understand that funding for the Library will be cut by close to $100,000.
To help make up the shortfall in FOL funds, we have sent a letter explaining the need and asking for your help in keeping the Library programs and book purchases viable. We are very grateful for the donations that we have received to date and ask if you haven’t given yet to please consider a donation to the FOL. Remember, our funds go to the Library and benefit everyone in the community. Thank you for your generosity.
Book Donations: Many of us are using this downtime to clean out excess stuff—and wondering what to do with it all! Unfortunately, we have no ability to accept books at this time—we don’t have access to our book storage, because of Covid-19 restrictions, and we do not have volunteers to accept and process donations. If you’ve been culling your book collection, please think of putting aside your excess books for the FriendShop. Your patience in storing them until we can accept—and process—book donations is much appreciated.
---Linda Falken, President, FOL
A Resignation: It is with great reluctance that the Board has accepted Barbara King’s resignation as FriendShop manager. We greatly appreciate all that Barbara has done to make the FriendShop a great place to shop, and she will be sorely missed. Thank you, Barbara, for all your hard work and generous support for the FriendShop and the FOL!
Update on the FriendShop: The FriendShop, unfortunately, will remain closed until the county has reached Stage 4 of the Covid-19 recovery as designated by the state. We are following the decision of the other local thrift shops, such as the Red Door, Kiwanis and Soroptomists to remain closed until that time. Our first priority is to protect all our wonderful volunteers and patrons! We have received a number of comments from FOL members that they miss being able to visit the FS—we share your disappointment! Please stay tuned for future announcements regarding our opening status.
Fundraising Letter: By now many of you have received the FOL’s first fundraising letter. Because we are not able to operate the FriendShop, our revenues have dropped considerably. The City’s sales tax revenue also is down, which is having a significant impact on the Library’s budget. At this time, we understand that funding for the Library will be cut by close to $100,000.
To help make up the shortfall in FOL funds, we have sent a letter explaining the need and asking for your help in keeping the Library programs and book purchases viable. We are very grateful for the donations that we have received to date and ask if you haven’t given yet to please consider a donation to the FOL. Remember, our funds go to the Library and benefit everyone in the community. Thank you for your generosity.
Book Donations: Many of us are using this downtime to clean out excess stuff—and wondering what to do with it all! Unfortunately, we have no ability to accept books at this time—we don’t have access to our book storage, because of Covid-19 restrictions, and we do not have volunteers to accept and process donations. If you’ve been culling your book collection, please think of putting aside your excess books for the FriendShop. Your patience in storing them until we can accept—and process—book donations is much appreciated.
Donate now to support the
Anacortes Public Library!
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the City of Anacortes has limited the purchasing of reading material by the Library. The donations that the Friends provide to the Library will be essential to its purchases of new material. Please contribute to the Friends! Find a donation form at this link.
The Friends now have a facebook page!
Take a look!
(click on the link below or paste it in your browser)
https://m.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Anacortes-Public-Library-105079111161094/
If you are on Facebook, enter – Friends of the Anacortes Public Library – in the search box at the top of any FB page (next to the magnifying glass symbol). Please help us by “liking” the page to raise Friends’ visibility in the community.
Take a look!
(click on the link below or paste it in your browser)
https://m.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Anacortes-Public-Library-105079111161094/
If you are on Facebook, enter – Friends of the Anacortes Public Library – in the search box at the top of any FB page (next to the magnifying glass symbol). Please help us by “liking” the page to raise Friends’ visibility in the community.
FRIENDSHOP CLOSED!
The FriendShop used book store at the Anacortes Public Library is CLOSED until further notice because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Volunteers are asked not to enter the shop or the Library workspace for any reason.
On a lighter note, see here for cheery sidewalk chalk drawings that appeared in front of the Library .
Friends
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Due to the coronavirus pandemic the exhibition of local art is terminated until further notice. No further exhibits are being planned.
The Friends of the Anacortes Public Library held their annual meeting on November 14. At that meeting, the Friends ratified a new set of bylaws which change the governance style of the organization, reviewed 2020 budgetary questions, and elected the Board of Directors. The new bylaws are here on this website. Biographies of the new Directors are here. Following the Annual Meeting, the new Directors met and elected Linda Falken as President, Patrick Gallagher as Vice-President, Megan Taylor as Secretary, and Hal Rooks as Treasurer. Kay O'Connell is serving in the Past-President position.
Above - New Board of Directors of the Friends of the Anacortes Library;
left to right, Kandy Dubuque, Patrick Gallagher, Linda Falken, Hal Rooks, Susan Rooks, Kay O'Connell, Megan Taylor; Tress Connolly not present.
The 50th Anniversary of Friends of the Anacortes Public Library was Celebrated on October 26 in the community room of the Library. The Harmonaires, a women’s barbershop group, presented old-time favorites in the Library lobby. The winner of the quilt raffle fundraiser was drawn. “Book Magic”, a children’s skit was performed by ACT theatre students. Refreshments were enjoyed by all. A few photos from the event are available here on this website.
Upcoming events
Meeting Notices - Friends of the Anacortes Public Library
Board of Directors Meeting, to be announced.
Closed at Present
Bargain books from the FriendShop!
The Anacortes Library FriendShop is an inviting and relaxed used book store where you can find just the right book for yourself or a special someone. The FriendShop is located in the foyer of the Anacortes Public Library, and is staffed by Friends of the Library volunteers. All proceeds from sales go to support the Library. For more information see Friendshop.
Anacortes Public Library and FriendShop
Mailing Address: PO Box 465, Anacortes WA 98221
Location: 1220 10th St, Anacortes, WA 98221
Mailing Address: PO Box 465, Anacortes WA 98221
Location: 1220 10th St, Anacortes, WA 98221
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Stop off … at the Anacortes Library
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Drop in … at the FriendShop
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Shop now … find a special book!
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The Anacortes Library FriendShop is a used book store located in the foyer of the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St. Anacortes WA 98221
©️ 2019 Friends of the Anacortes Public Library