Friends of the Anoka County Library
Fall 2009 Newsletter 
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Board of Directors
Friends of the Library, 2009
From left to right: Diane Racette, Kari Lohse, Nancee Halling, Doug Zbitkowski, Lois Ballinger, Zilla Way and Len Powell
Anoka County Library Announces
Bookmark Design Winner
As part of Teen Read Week, Anoka County Library has announced that local 8th grader Jackie Anderson has won the annual Bookmark Design Contest sponsored by the Friends of Anoka County Library. Jackie participated in the summer reading program and submitted her design at the Columbia Heights Public Library.
Ms. Anderson is a regular user of the Columbia Heights Public Library and likes to read. She has entered the bookmark contest in the past and loves to draw. Anderson is a swimmer and rides a unicycle which became a hobby after she saw a unicycle group perform and decided to give it a try!
Library Board President Cathy Montain acknowledged the Friends’ many contributions to the success of the Library’s programs when she said, “It’s important to encourage kids and teens to read, especially during the long summer vacation! Summer reading activities at the library are an ideal way to do that and we’re happy to have the Friends sponsor the Teen Bookmark Design Contest as well as some of the other summer programs for children.”
The printed bookmark will be available at all Anoka County Library buildings and Columbia Heights Public Library until the release of the 2010 edition.
In addition to summer reading activities, the Friends also sponsor other projects and programs including author visits and the popular Book Club in a Bag kits that may be borrowed from any Anoka County Library. Join the Friends and become actively involved in a growing organization that makes a difference for the kids and adults who use the Library!
More information about the Friends and the Library, including a photo of the winning bookmark design, is available at www.anoka.lib.mn.us.
Anoka County Library Receives Cash Gift from Friends
It’s good to have Friends! Anoka County Library recently received a gift of $4800 from Friends of the Library. A major portion of the gift presented at the annual membership meeting will support Summer Reading 2009. The Friends understand the importance of reading throughout the summer and want to help encourage kids to read for enjoyment and to maintain skills. Summer reading begins June 1, with programs taking place in July.
The Friends gift will also allow the library to add to the Book Club in a Bag collection which continues to be very popular with library users and has been entirely funded by the Friends; print the winner of the 2009 Teen Bookmark Design Contest; purchase new materials for use at baby storytimes; and provide teen programming during the year.
Friends of the Library exist to support Anoka County Library and welcome new members.
History of the Friends
In April 2003 book lovers from various backgrounds joined together to create Friends of the Anoka County Library. The Friends are a volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the library's programs and services.
Mission of the Friends
Working in partnership with Anoka County Library staff, the Friends' mission is twofold:
- To increase public awareness, understanding and use of the library.
- To organize public support for library services, programs and facilities through fundraising, membership development, and special programs and events.
Activities & Initiatives
- Library anniversaries and open house celebrations.
- Programs for adults: author readings, book club events, and senior services.
- Co-sponsorship of children and teen events.
- Annual financial gift to the library.
Why join the Friends?
The Friends' efforts help ensure the library's continued ability to purchase materials and to create special events and programs which enhance and enrich the lives of library users.
Your membership dues and active involvement will help the Anoka County Library continue to be an outstanding Minnesota library for many years to come.
Friends@anoka.lib.mn.us
