United for Libraries (the Friends and trustees arm of the American Library Association) is partnering with Penguin Random House for a second year of Grants to U.S. Rural and Small Libraries. (In its inaugural year, the partners awarded monetary grants and in-kind gifts worth $25,000!)

ICYMI: Last month, MALF presented our annual "Warm Reads For Cold Nights: Minnesota Authors Recommend" webinar. If you missed the live event but still need help with your holiday gift list (or want recommendations for your own holiday break reading list), the archived program is available for replay here.

As the year draws to a close, MALF must bid a fond farewell to a leader. Sheila DeChantal of Brainerd is rotating off after 3 years on our board of directors. DeChantal’s name is one well known to Friends across Minnesota due to her talent for launching groundbreaking Friends programs that are successful, sustainable, and scalable.

Barb Brylinke leads book sales for the Friends of the Heritage Library in Lakeville. According to her colleagues, Barb understands that the most important words at a sale are not those found in the books available to shoppers – they are those used in the promotional materials and wayfinding signage needed to make residents aware of and excited for the opportunity.