by Suzanne Harris, Friends of the Library Liaison
National Volunteer Week is the perfect time for us to recognize and celebrate a group special to the library: The Friends of Strathcona County Library Society. The Friends are a group of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about the library and the value it adds to the lives of county residents.
They are among our most enthusiastic public cheerleaders, and actively support the library by raising funds, providing volunteers for our events, and generally making us feel like superstars for the work we do.
The Friends are part of what makes the library the special place it is in our community.
Thanks to the Friends, the library has:
- A playful interactive floor projector in the children’s area
- A discovery table for kids to gather around and explore
- More copies of—and shorter wait times for—our most popular materials
- A new collection of Ukrainian language books for children
- Greater variety in our digital collections: In fact, over the pandemic the Friends contributed over $20,000 toward the purchase of online materials to help us meet the surge in demand from the community.
The Friends also sponsor our Welcome Baby early literacy initiative.
Since their inception in 1993, they have raised over $600,000 for the library through casinos, raffles, barbecues, garden tours, and their much-loved annual Christmas Gift Wrap fundraiser at Sherwood Park Mall. And while the pandemic temporarily put a halt to most of their fundraising activities, they are busy planning new and exciting fundraisers for the months ahead. Each fundraising event is an opportunity to connect with others, make new friends, and have fun while making a difference.
Every library needs Friends. We are so proud of ours! Thank you to our Friends who give their time, energy, and skills to help make a positive impact in our community.
If you would like to join the Friends, please contact them through their website.
Add a comment to: We Love Our Friends!