Friends of the Kasson Public Library - Linda Head In 2016, the City of Kasson finished construction on a new public library – a cutting-edge facility that undoubtedly makes Kasson Public Library one of the most unique in the Midwest. Built as a…

Libraries are institutions, but they are made great by individuals. In that spirit, United for Libraries (the Friends and trustees arm of the American Library Association) has opened a call for two special prizes intended to spotlight individuals who have truly gone above and beyond in service to their libraries.

ICYMI: As part of National Friends of Libraries Week 2204, United for Libraries announced two new, nationwide grant opportunities made available through financial support from publisher Penguin Random House. Both are tailored specifically to Friends and open to groups serving communities classified as both small and rural. One is a financial grant (up to $1,000) for Friends who can demonstrate “high need” and lay out an actionable game plan for how the Friends could use this seed money to address that need.

Congratulations to the Friends of the Pelican Rapids Library, newly announced as winners of the 2024 Evy Nordley Award for Best Project. Synopsis – Even as adults, we've all dreamed of stepping into rich worlds from…

What do you call it when a Friends program creates a brand-new revenue stream, draws residents into the library for their first time, and costs the organizers $0 to implement? In the case of the Austin Friends of the Library and their 2023 fundraiser “Puttin’ in the Stacks,” it feels all-too-appropriate to term that rare achievement a true "hole in one."

We've all dreamed of stepping into rich worlds from children's literature: timeless environments like those found in Where the Wild Things Are, Harry Potter, and classic European fairy tales. Last August, library lovers in Otter Tail County enjoyed a rare chance to do exactly that – courtesy of the Friends of the Pelican Rapids Library and their aptly named ‘Once Upon a Time’ Tablescapes Luncheon & Silent Auction.

The Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce proudly boasts: "It's not just Mother Nature that puts on a show around here." That tagline is a reference both to Becker County’s natural amenities and to the area’s robust arts and culture scene. In addition to the “usual suspects” – like theaters and artist coalitions – Detroit Lakes owes its curb appeal to the equally creative volunteers behind the Detroit Lakes Public Library Foundation (DLPLF). Their latest venture is more than decorative and takes an unexpected form: a new, much-needed, and fantastically adorned drive-through book return.

Minnesota is a hotbed for creative, effective and replicable Friends of the Library activities. Several of MALF’s keynote programs are dedicated to showcasing exactly that. Happily, we are not entirely alone in this regard. United for Libraries, the Friends and trustees arm of the national American Library Association, is currently welcoming applications for its new United for Libraries Awards for Innovation.

Author Elizabeth Andrew is credited with saying: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time – they have the heart.” That’s a truism if ever we heard one. Friends of the Library who do the most for their groups aren’t necessarily the members with the freest or most flexible schedules. That just makes the invaluable contributions of Friends all the more impressive.

This e-newsletter doubles as our last chance to remind and encourage you to apply for the 2024 Evy Nordley Award. Applications must be received over email or postmarked by this Friday, July 5. While we can’t tell you what your odds of winning are, we can say with some certainly: better than you think.

Memorial Day heralds summer, and with it comes several grant and award deadlines for MALF member groups. Coming up first: Friday, July 5 is the cutoff to submit for the annual Evy Nordley Award for Best Project. Common project types entered into this contest include special events, successful fundraisers, membership drives, and advocacy campaigns – but the sky is the limit! Don't think your Friends conducted any activities on the scale of an Evy Nordley prize contender over the past year? Consider contributing to our inclusive and ongoing Stand Up for Standout Friends project instead!

Last year, Friends of the Library elsewhere in the country coordinated programs running a wide gamut: from readathons and spelling bees, to cooking demos and fashion shows, and even charity 5ks and relay races! We know for a fact that Friends here in Minnesota have not been idle, either. Our annual Evy Nordley Award for Best Project is the perfect way to learn about and share your group highlights from 2023.