Blog
In case you missed it: United for Libraries hosted the Friends of the Austin (Minn.) Public Library last month for a fundraising webinar held in celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. Board president Bethie Carlton profiled Flockin’ Flamingoes Fundraiser, a colorful and memorable project that won Austin MALF’s 2021 Evy Nordley Award.
We have an exciting announcement to share – and National Friends of Libraries Week seems like the perfect time to do it. After a months-long research and design process, MALF has just launched a brand new website! Check it out for yourself at mnlibraryfriends.org.
Have you heard of the "I Love My Librarian Award"? This annual, national honor is intended to honor “librarians who have made a difference in your life or gone above and beyond to serve your community.” Each year, up to 10 librarians will be honored with a $5,000 cash prize and special ceremony held in their honor.
What, you might be asking, is a “Saturday Splash”? In short, it is MALF’s annual mini-conference – a morning of content curated by, for and about Friends of the Library. Itinerary will include a splash of this, and a splash of that (thus the name); but as connective tissue, every program module will celebrate Friends work or offer learning opportunities to further that work.
The Minnesota Book Awards is currently seeking reader-judges for the program’s 35th year (2022-23). Each year, more than 50 judges are involved in this evaluation process. Panels are comprised of Minnesotans from many walks of life who share a love of literature and aptitude for critical appraisal. Judges commonly include authors, editors, educators – and yes, librarians and Friends.