2024 Evy Nordley Finalist Spotlight #3: Austin

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."

Board president Elizabeth Carlton, together with board colleagues Kathy and Kristie, conceived “Puttin’ on the Stacks” after brainstorming how to keep busy and maintain visibility for the group during the summer – traditionally a slow period on the Friends of the Library calendar.

While this blank slate presented a problem on its face, it was compounded by the fact that the Friends had not budgeted for any sort of marquee event during the summer months. “Puttin’ on the Stacks” ingeniously sidestepped that obstacle by crowdsourcing much of the expense and work – and in kind offering partners a unique community exposure and give-back opportunity.

“We asked area businesses to make [themed] mini golf holes for the library, and then invited the community to come in and play a round,” explained Carlton.

Hole sponsors ranged widely – from local bookstore Sweet Reads, to Matchbox Children’s Theatre, to Austin Utilities. Several craft-oriented individuals also contributed designs, including one donor who created a hole for the Friends themselves.

Crowd favorites included a whimsical Alice in Wonderland straightaway that ended “down the rabbit hole,” and another which featured a LEGO naturescape. The Friends sported the most colorful entry: a bright pink flamingo fanfare intended as a callback to one of the organization’s prior programs, the memorable Flockin’ Flamingoes Fundraiser. 

As another measure to control expense, organizers approached area golf courses to secure the temporary loan of putters. (Quality putters retail at $35-60 each.) In addition, a one-time donation from a local construction company allowed for the purchase of foam golf balls ideal for this indoor and most unconventional course.

Both were needed in bulk. In its sole weekend of operation, Austin Public Library’s indoor putt-putt course drew nearly 140 residents into the library. That figure included regular patrons, more sporadic visitors, and also residents who do not use their library under normal circumstances. 

Carlton says that the Friends charged $5.00 per person per 9-hole round – and many visitors completed that circuit twice. Others offered a voluntary donation on top of their fee. In all, “Puttin’ in the Stacks” generated $685 in profit towards the Friends’ mission.

Carlton says that the friends-raising fact of this fundraiser is no less important. “We encountered several families who didn’t know about the Friends of the Library before this… We also came to realize that there’s a big need for low-cost, family-friendly activities in our town. Knowing this, we will work harder to find ways to let this population know about the other family-friendly things that we are doing.”

Given its strong debut, the return of “Puttin’ in the Stacks” is all but assured. “We are actually planning on doing it again throughout the year,” Carlton shared.