Friends of Johnson County Library

Meet Friends of Johnson County Library board member Andrea Artist! We asked her some questions about why she loves the Library - and why it's important to her to volunteer. ??Why did you volunteer for the board? "I love the Johnson County Library, and I have been in constant awe of learning of all the programs and services it provides to the community. Whether it's providing a venue for people to exercise their rights to vote to serving as a safe place to study to offering storytime to littles to giving access to information and media to all members of the community, the list of benefits that the library provides is endless." ??What do you love about the Library? "The opportunities and accessibility it provides to all members of the community. There aren't many places in the world where every person can feel like they belong, and I believe the library is one of few harbors that has a place for and welcomes everyone. Libraries can be any number of things: an escape, an opportunity, an outlet for creativity. There are programs, media, and services for all members of the community, and a significant majority of these offerings are free to the public." ??What was your favorite childhood book and why? "'Shiloh' by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; I love dogs!" ??What are you reading right now? "'The Life We Bury' by Allen Eskens and 'The Friend Zone' by Abby Jiminez, two wildly different books!" ??What are three books you recommend? "'Beartown' by Fredrik Backman, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, and 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Shelby van Pelt." ??What are some reasons that you think someone should become a Friend of the Library? "In Johnson County, we are incredibly fortunate to have the quality and number of programs and services our library offers. I have a daughter, and I want our libraries to continue to provide her the same or more opportunities to safety, information, and entertainment. With the scrutiny that libraries are faced with on a daily basis, our libraries need their friends to stand up and continue to advocate for them. ...Plus, the discount at the weekly book sales is a huge perk." ?? #KCNonprofit #JohnsonCountyLibrary #LibraryAdvocacy #FriendsoftheLibrary #JohnsonCountyKansas #Volunteering

Only late last night did it click that February 15, the opening day of our brand-new book sale space, is also my fifteenth anniversary with Friends of Johnson County Library. We couldn't have planned it better, and I couldn't be more proud of my team for bringing this vision to life. We now have a spacious home for many years to come, and our community has this remarkable resource to build and maintain personal libraries in their homes, classrooms, senior living centers, and more. It is through the support of our members and donors that we are able to keep costs so low -- the thousands of beautiful kids books you see here are a dollar or less! -- so if you are one of these supporters, truly, thank you. If you aren't, please join us at friendsofjcl.org. #LibrariesForAllAllForLibraries

We can't wait until we can show you our new space! While it is still very much under construction, we have been making a lot of progress. These improvements will nearly double our current size, enhancing the experience of our shoppers, supporters, staff, and volunteers. We'll also have new ways to give back to our community, including a special area where we can donate unsold books to local nonprofits in need at no cost! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our community to bring this vision to life. Although we collaborate closely with Johnson County Library, we operate independently and we are fully funded by donations and public support that allow us to advocate for libraries and make a meaningful impact. We look forward to inviting you into our new home this year! And if you'd like to make a gift to support our Capacity Expansion Project, you can do so at bit.ly/givejclfriends. #KCNonprofit #LibraryAdvocacy #FriendsoftheLibrary #FriendsofJohnsonCountyLibrary #Nonprofit #JohnsonCountyKansas

In September, we welcomed the?Johnson County Library's Administrative team to Friends Headquarters! During their tour, we showed them our super cool book sorter, our 'new-to-us' bookcases, and described how we evolved into the sort-to-sell model and current operations. P.S. Did you know that this very team has tested some of the puzzles on our shelves? They have a puzzle always set up in Admin that they work on during lunch break. Pictured L-R: David Vratny, Finance Director Ben S., Director of Customer Experience Patti Kangethe, Executive Assistant Adam Wathen, Associate Director for Branch Services Shelley Rogers O'Brien, CAE, CFRE,?Johnson County Library Foundation?Executive Director Kinsley Riggs, Deputy County Librarian Shanta Dickerson, Friends Executive Director Karin Dembinski, Friends Sorting and Sales Specialist Tricia Suellentrop, County Librarian Not Pictured: Amber Bourek Slater, Volunteer Coordinator #KCNonprofit #PublicLibraries #JohnsonCountyLibrary #LibraryAdvocacy #FriendsoftheLibrary #Nonprofit #JohnsonCountyKansas

Data from USAFacts proves it. Kansas loves going to the Library! ???? #KansasLibraries #PublicLibraries #Kansas

Advocating for libraries is an ongoing endeavor that requires the support of dedicated individuals like you. Join us in our mission to ensure that libraries continue to be vibrant, inclusive, and essential to our communities! Together, we can empower future generations through knowledge, literacy, and lifelong learning. Here are some ways you can get involved and make a difference: Speak Up:?Share your library experiences and the positive impact libraries have had on your life. Your personal stories are powerful advocacy tools. Engage with Elected Officials:?Contact your local, state, and federal representatives to express your support for libraries and the need for continued funding and policy support. Join Library Friends Groups:?Many libraries have Friends of the Library groups that advocate on their behalf. These groups often organize fundraisers and community events to support their local library. (Pssst...find out more about our Friends group at friendsofjcl.org!) Stay Informed:?Keep yourself informed about library issues, initiatives, and challenges. Attend library board meetings and participate in community discussions. Support Library Initiatives:?Vote in favor of library funding measures and bond referendums in your community. Libraries for all! All for Libraries! #Libraries #PublicLibraries #LibraryAdvocacy #Advocacy #IntellectualFreedom #LibrariesAreEssential

The Friends of Johnson County Library believe that libraries are cornerstones of society, serving as hubs for learning, literacy, and cultural enrichment. Advocacy for libraries is crucial because it ensures these invaluable resources remain accessible and relevant in a rapidly changing world. ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ????????????? ?? Equal Access to Information Libraries provide equitable access to information, enabling individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background, to explore, learn, and grow. ???? Education and Lifelong Learning They offer a wealth of educational resources, from books and digital media to workshops and programs that support lifelong learning. ?? Community Building Libraries foster a sense of community by offering meeting spaces, hosting events, and bringing people together for shared experiences. ?? Digital Inclusion In today’s digital age, libraries bridge the digital divide by providing free internet access, computer services, and digital literacy programs. ? Preservation of Culture Libraries preserve the cultural heritage of communities through the collection and archiving of historical documents, manuscripts, and local artifacts. Advocating for libraries is an ongoing endeavor that requires the support of dedicated individuals like you. Learn more about our organization and become a Friend of the Johnson County Library at friendsofjcl.org to join us in our mission to ensure that libraries continue to be vibrant, inclusive, and essential parts of our communities. #Libraries #PublicLibraries #LibraryAdvocacy #Advocacy #IntellectualFreedom #LibrariesAreEssential

In 2023, 897 Library volunteers provided 42,186 hours and $1,342,514.80 in-kind service! ???? This included serving on boards, aiding with education and outreach, working at special events and programs, materials management, genealogy research and memory digitization - and 340 volunteers helping the Friends with donations and book sales!! Interested in lending a hand? Find more info at https://lnkd.in/grFszgkr. #KCNonprofit #KCVolunteers #Volunteerism #LibraryVolunteers #LibrarySupport

Check out the latest edition of Friends News & Views!

Happy #501cDay! Today, we welcomed students from Prairie Trail Middle School and engaged them in each part of our weekday sorting & sales operations. They got to sort and scan books, research items without barcodes, list, and ship. (Donuts may or may not have been involved.) Every student got to pick out a free book, too, as a thank you for their hard work. My team put careful thought and planning into making this morning as fun and enriching as possible for our guests. None of this was pushed onto them by the boss, I assure you ?? - my job is to stay the hell out of their way and let them do what I hired them to do. I am so fortunate to work with such bright, driven, creative people - they make magic happen every single day. Thank you, Friends! #SupportLocalNonprofits