Spring holds the promise of new beginnings as well as a time to express gratitude for the good things life has to offer. At a time when it’s starting to feel possible to consider a more hopeful future, I want to take some time to thank the partners who have helped us, and continue to help us, every day, The Friends of Sacramento Public Library.
The Friends are the Library’s official, and only, fundraising partner, designated by our Library Authority Board in 2019.
What does this mean? It means that we have an agreement for the work they do to raise funds for the Library. More importantly, it means that they share our mission and vision for serving our community.
Collectively, the Friends provide thousands of hours of volunteer time for the Library and even during these times provided more than 17,000 volunteer hours supporting our democracy by volunteering to staff ballot drop off sites during the election cycle and sustaining the planet by finding new homes for thousands of books through book sales at the Book Den. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Friends have stood by the Library. For example, a team of 147 Friends volunteers assembled the 14,000
Book First student packs from home.
The Friends provide valuable support through their sponsorship of Library events such as the upcoming virtual visit by Temple Grandin, staff appreciation and so much more. They are also tireless library advocates. In 2014 and 2016, the Friends supported the passage of two City of Sacramento ballot measures to provide funding for the system.
Simply put, we love the Friends and what they provide to Sacramento Public Library is so much more than financial support. Yes, the Friends enrich our services, collections and staff, but they give us the added treasure of their time.
You can show your support for all the Friends do with a gift on Big Day of Giving.