FRIENDS OF THE ANACORTES PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Friends of the Anacortes Public Library 
P. O. Box 2009  Anacortes, WA  98221                                          
360-293-1910
​SUMMER NEWSLETTER, JUNE 2021

CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 
We hope that you and your loved ones have been able to enjoy some of the recent sunny days. To celebrate  the gradual re-opening of things in the community, we suggest visiting and browsing at the Anacortes Public Library. Take the lists of suggested titles you have been gathering from friends, the book reviews that  sounded intriguing, and the books that inspired movies you adored. You can now stroll in and visit your  favorite section of books and see what is new, at the best time for you—no appointment needed! 
Thank you to everyone who came out for the May trunk sale in the library parking lot. It was wonderful to see  you in person. Please read the article about the sale that is in this issue of the newsletter. 
When you are a member of the Friends of the Library, you are among  
friends—friends who are a part of a community that loves and supports our  
library and acknowledges its value as a center of excellence in an informed  
society. As a member of the Friends, you’ll be part of a tradition of library  
love and support that began here in 1969. 
Whether you’re a new Friend or an old one, please join for the first time or  
renew your membership today! Library lovers all over the Anacortes Public  
Library service area will thank you! 
Kandy Dubuque and Megan Taylor 

WE’RE OPEN! 
No appointments necessary unless you wish to  use the computer. Browsing is available, the soft  seating is returning, and now all we need is YOU!  Come visit your library soon to see the friendly  Library staff and discover new books. We’ve  been working hard to keep our New Books wall  up to date so you’re sure to find something to  bring home. We’ve missed you! 
LIBRARY HOURS 
AUGUST 7: Friends at  the Farmer’s Market 
Please stop by and see the Friends at the Anacortes Public Library booth at the Anacortes Farmers Market (at the  Depot) on August 7th. The Library is promoting their  popular Summer reading program, which runs June 21st to  August 31st. The theme this  
year is "Reading Colors Your  
World." The Friends will be  
doing a bit of book selling  
and promoting membership.  
We are happy to have this  
chance to connect with the  
community along side our  
library colleagues. 

HISTORY OF THE FRIENDS:  
50+ Years of supporting the Anacortes Public Library—Part I
In 2019, our group celebrated 50 years of community activity and financial support for the City’s public  library. As part of that celebration, I worked with other members to develop the story of the Friends, by  researching historical records kept by the Anacortes Historical Museum and by the Friends group themselves.  It has been a long and varied history, one that demonstrates the importance of a public library to the citizens  of Anacortes.  
While the Friends of the Anacortes Library did not officially form until 1969, there has always seemed to be  considerable support here for the idea of members of the public having access to reading and educational  materials. In fact, some publicly shared “reading rooms” were maintained in downtown buildings prior to  1911. As of that year, a new library building was completed, due to a grant provided by the Andrew Carnegie  Foundation. An original copy of that letter announcing the grant can be found in the historical museum’s files  and information about it on their website. In order to receive that grant, members of the community had to  pledge a minimum of $1,000.00 per year to buy books and to support/maintain its operations and staff. (Of  course this tradition of community support has continued but the costs have obviously increased over the last  100 years, as has the library’s size and resources.) Louella Howard and others of the first librarians were also  community members. 
The old Carnegie building, easily recognized by any of us who have grown up in small towns throughout this  country, still stands at the corner of M St. and 8th St., across from Causland Park. It is now the history  museum. In the interim, 57 years later, in 1968, the library moved a block away from this site to a building  that had formerly been the location for Island Hospital, at the corner of M and 9th. Again members of the  community stepped up and there are articles detailing how individuals helped move the books and furnishings  into the newer building. 
Then, in 1969, at the urging of the AAUW, some of these same community members joined together to form a  non-profit corporation, the Friends of the Anacortes Library. They applied to the State of Washington and later  to the IRS, for non-profit status, allowing them to collect and disburse funds that have helped the Anacortes  Library expand its children’s collection, buy adult materials and also to help the library in many different ways.  
For example, in the first decade after its incorporation the Fjriends immediately started collecting donated  books from the community and selling those used books to raise funds. However, in the earlier years, the  Friends also sponsored rummage sales, under the name of “Trash and Treasures.”  
Depending on the year and the number of volunteers available, these sales were at  
least annual and often semi-annual. And of course, there were often used books for  sale in the basement of the library in those days. They also held annual membership  drives to recruit community volunteers and raise even more revenue. One project  
supported by the Friends between 1969 and 1978 was the purchase of an art print  collection, which the library circulated to community patrons for several years. When  the library began to offer paperback books as part of its lending collection, the  
Friends helped by paying for rotating book display units to make it easier for patrons  to browse that collection. In addition, the Friends also supported the creation and  
stocking of various “lending libraries” located in downtown businesses (with  
occasional help from volunteer Campfire Girls groups). This last project was later  
discontinued, but now many community members who maintain their own “little  
libraries” at the edge of their properties come to the Friends book sales to restock  
their own collections. (The FriendShop, the Friends’ in-library bookstore, did not open until 2003. There is  more on that Friends’ activity in Part II of this article.)  
Between 1979-1988, the Friends’ book sales were at least semi-annual, sometimes using the basement of the  older library at M and 10th and sometimes using space made available in downtown buildings. In addition the  Friends helped to raise funds for a new Children’s library, sometimes by sponsoring square dances and always  by selling books and sometimes other “treasures”. In that decade the Friends began helping with funding  
adult programs and purchasing children’s materials for the children’s library. They also contributed a rocking  chair for the Children’s librarian to use during story hours. And when it was requested, the Friends  contributed to the installation of a bike rack outside of the library building. 
By 1989, the Friends had been in existence for 20 years, but some of the best contributions and events were  still ahead. I will include more on those years in the second part of this article. 
Linda Falken,  
Board Member 

HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TRUNK SALE 
The library Friends (volunteers) held a 3-hour trunk (used book) sale in the 10th St. parking lot of Anacortes  Public Library, May 22nd, Saturday from 10 to 1pm. Shoppers chose from used books and a smattering of  media arranged in the trunks of volunteer's cars and on adjacent small tables. 
106 people attended the event that netted $700 from library supporters. All monies raised support the  library. Some shoppers were visiting Anacortes from Ferndale, Seattle and Renton. People chatted with  volunteers about wrapping a stop at the trunk sale in with a visit to the Farmers Market, to the Library’s  curbside pickup, or with an in-person library visit. Shoppers also picked-up items to round out their Little Free  Library collections and an elementary school classroom reading nook. 
We were thrilled not to need to use drop cloths over the books, or  
to put up the awnings the Library had on stand-by for us in case of  
rain! Kids and teen items, recent fiction, classic cookbooks, and  
current non-fiction were big sellers. 
It was heartening to experience readers of all ages sharing the  
excitement of finding their next read or Summer project inspiration.  
The Friends thank all who helped to promote the sale, who came  
and shopped, or who helped get the word out to the community.

HAVE YOU TRIED OUR QR CODE YET? 
A QR code is a fancy image that will take you directly to the Friends of the Library web page  when you point your smartphone camera at it. Try it! Grab your smart phone, open the camera  app, then focus on the square. Your phone should recognize this as a link and, depending on  your phone settings, either automatically open the website or ask you if you want to open it.  
That’s it! Give it a try! 

LIBRARY PARTNERSHIPS: APL Leading The Way 
I’ve had the privilege of working for the Anacortes Public Library for more than six years. I’ve always known it’s  a special place, but never has that been more clear than in 2020 when everything shut down. Thanks to the  support of our community, especially our Friends of the Library, we’ve been able to adapt services and  continue to have resources that supported the many needs of our community throughout the pandemic. 
But while this past year changed a lot, some things stayed. Libraries support learning and community  everyday, and much of that begins with our youth. The success of much of our programs and services in the  past 15 months was due to the dedication of our community already. Nowhere was that more evident than in  our school partnership. Since 2016 APL has had a partnership with the Anacortes School District that has  allowed every student and teacher to have a public library card. This meant when schools had to close, every  student was already set up to remotely borrow items to supplement learning. Every student had access to our  take and make learning kits, our digital resources when we couldn’t do curbside, and our books when we were  able to start delivery checkouts. 
While area libraries had to close or scramble to create an agreement, our community already had a framework  to partner for continuous learning. Our Library Foundation immediately increased digital resources for  students, our schools were able to tell us what tools students needed from the library, and our Friends of the  Library kept our books and programs current by funding new purchases throughout the City’s spending freeze  of 2020. 
I was asked to share how the student card partnership has benefitted our library and students, but there’s not  much to write, because the answer is infinitely. When we work together and partner, everyone benefits. In  2016 when I began working with the school to create this program, I couldn’t have imagined a pandemic. But  our City and our library alongside our school district knew no matter what happened, equal access for all our  students was vital to our City’s future. 
Even when we had to be apart, we were connected and working towards a common goal. Our community of  supporters, from all of you that donate to FOL to the many organizations that fund grant requests or partner  together to maximize our impacts, all of you support our library being able to lead initiatives in our county. 

Anacortes was the first city in Skagit County to create a school partnership  
that gave all students public library cards. When other libraries reached out  
we were able to share what we’ve learned and now many have created  
similar programs in the last few years. It’s something vital that we all  
created together, and each and every one of you has helped create a  
sustainable partnership that has lasting benefits for every member of our  
community. When our kids grow up in a community that supports lifelong  
learning, we all win. Thank you for supporting APL and giving us the  
support we need to forge new partnerships that strengthen our incredible  
community of learners of every age. 
Come visit us soon.  
Diana Farnsworth,  
Librarian 

HOURS @ 
THE  
LIBRARY Monday - Friday 11 -6 pm
Saturday 11 - 4 pm
Call Us! 360-293-1910


NEWS FROM THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY! 
We are excited to announce a $10,000 grant from Shell Oil  
Company for STEAM Kits for Children and Teens! The grant will  
allow us to expand our collection of STEAM kits to include  
technology learning for all ages. When the library was closed  
last year, we put together STEAM Kits for families to check out  
and use at home. Some of the initial offerings included kids  
microscopes, puzzles, rock painting kits, bath bomb kits, kids  
telescopes, a NASA backpack, and more. Each kit has everything needed for fun and learning at home,  and they have been a popular option for families. 
When Shell approached us about applying for a grant, we realized that adding more Technology to our  STEAM kit offerings would be a great opportunity for families. The kits can be used at home for now, and  once we are able to offer in-person programs again, the kits will be used in the library.  
The STEAM kits will have something for every age. Learning to code with Code-a-pillars for our youngest  learners, and Ozobots for all ages. Kids will be able to create original films and get creative with the  Stickbots. There will also be a music component for tweens and teens through the Volca synthesizers. In  all there will be more than 30 new STEAM kits for families to take home for independent, self-directed  learning.  These wonderful kits will be introduced as part of Summer Reading 2021. 
Summer Reading 2021  
Summer Reading is for everyone – kids, teens, and adults. For the theme Reading Colors Your World we  invite you to get creative, explore art, try new things, and find beauty in diversity! Programs will be virtual  through the summer with three weekly Storytimes offered in June and July, and a weekly creative program  as well. There will also be three STEA 
We will host an author visit with Andrew Root, author of the brand new picture book NERDYCORN! There  will be halfway prizes for each participant and a new book to choose at the end of summer reading. And  of course there will be a drawing with grand prizes for all ages.  
Summer is a great time to discover a new book or author, try a genre you’ve always been curious about,  or learn something new. We hope you’ll join us this summer for some reading fun.  
We are so fortunate to have the financial support of the Friends of the Library which makes all of our  programs possible! 
Until then, Happy Reading!  
Leslie Wilson 
Youth Services Librarian

TREASURER'S REPORT: JUNE 2021 
Thanks to all of you who have renewed your membership in the FOL. Our members are truly our—and the  Library’s—most important asset. Many of you also included donations in addition to your dues for which we  are very appreciative. 
It’s exciting that the Library has re-opened and that means that the FriendShop won’t be far behind. Right  now, Board members and the City’s great facilities team are undertaking some much needed renovations of  the bookstore. Our goal is to make the FriendShop more welcoming and easier to negotiate when we open. We also are planning a new Children’s Corner with the help of Librarians Leslie Wilson and Diana  Farnsworth. 
While we are not ready yet to receive your gently used books, stay tuned! That day is coming, and we’ll let you  know once we can accept book donations. 
Hal Rooks, 
Treasurer 

                                              Join or renew with the Friends of Anacortes Public Library! 
Gifts to the Friends support library collections, programming and build literacy in our community. 
Yearly Membership Levels (calendar year, not prorated): 
[ ] $10 Individual [ ] $20 Household 
[ ] Additional donation amount ________________________ 
Members receive a quarterly newsletter with news about activities and library happenings and are welcome at monthly  Friends of the Library meetings.  
Name(s): ___________________________/______________________________________ Address: ___________________________________City/State: __________/____________ 
ZIP: _______________ 
Email(s): _______________________________/___________________________________ Phone: (_____) __________________________ 
[ ] I am opting out of communications from Friends of the Anacortes Public Library. 
I am interested in volunteering!  
___ Board Service ___ Staffing the FriendShop ___ Committee/Project Work  
Mail to: Friends of the Anacortes Public Library, P.O. Box 465, Anacortes, WA 98221 The Friends of the Anacortes Public Library is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.



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  • Home
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    • Contact Friendshop
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    • Newsletters >
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    • By-laws >
      • 2021 By-laws
      • 2014 By-laws
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      • 2020 By-laws Change Proposal
    • 2021 Articles of Incorporation
    • 50th Anniversary Celebration
  • Library
    • Cheery Sidewalk Drawings
  • Local Art
  • Resources for Friends
  • Committees
  • FOAPL Manual