Thank you for being a Friend

Published in the Ketchikan Daily News, July 2017; written by Pat Tully

The Friends of the Ketchikan Public Library have a long history of supporting library programs and services. There was talk of starting a Friends group as early as 1967, but the Friends were finally established as a non-profit organization in 1985, led by Jim Lutz. They held their first book sale that summer and made $1,200 to support library services. Since then, the Friends have partnered with the Library and other organizations to raise funds, lobby for Library budget measures and support major projects such as the construction of the new Library building.

Today, the Friends raise money in a variety of ways. They sell decorations and mugs designed by Evon Zerbetz, and have just gotten in a shipment of newly-designed cobalt blue mugs—just in time for the Blueberry Arts Festival. The Friends have expanded their book sale into several events, with an ongoing sale cart in the Library lobby, a small book sale in the spring and the October sale, which last year brought in almost $8,400. Earlier this year, the Friends were awarded a $2,700 grant by the Ketchikan Community Foundation, to help with the creation of a Children’s Community Garden and associated interactive programs.

The Friends use this money to sponsor materials and programs for adults, teens, tweens and children, and to increase the Library’s visibility. They help pay for access to Alaska Digital Library (formerly ListenAlaska), a state-wide initiative which provides downloadable books in electronic and audio format. The Friends recently produced a brochure, Art in the Library, featuring a variety of local artists working in copper, textiles, wood, paint and other media. And they do a lot of volunteering—staffing a booth at the Blueberry Arts Festival and other annual events, as well as the information table at this past February’s Alaska Library Association Conference, held in Ketchikan.

Are you new in town (or not so new) and want to meet a bunch of community-minded people passionate about libraries and reading? The Friends welcome new members, and have a variety of volunteer opportunities available. From sorting books for the book sale, to staffing a Friends table at a local event, to helping out during Library programs, there are always things to do! ... To become a member, pick up a brochure at the Library, like them on Facebook, or visit their website: http://ketchikanpubliclibrary.org/about-the-friends/

And if you are already a Friend, thank you!