Friends of Johnson County Library

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

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

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

?????? What a great day! Pics to come. ?? #501cDay

April is National Volunteer Month and we're so grateful for all of the volunteers who help the Library in myriad ways! This past month members of the Leawood Rotary Club spent some time in the old Antioch building disassembling shelves. Friends of Johnson County Library are using these bookshelves to help store and sell books, and those proceeds will benefit Library programs and services. See that gentleman in the black Purdue hoodie? That's Chuck Sipple. He is both a Johnson County Library Foundation?member and Leawood Rotary member, and he helped coordinate this group of volunteers. #NationalVolunteerWeek

It's #NationalLibraryWeek! Join us in celebrating Johnson County Library all week long.