Newsletter Special Update July 2020
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. Our Board is 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.