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Year-long of activities designed to raise funds to buy books for new branch libraries

 to kick off with Chili’s fundraiser

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

(Laredo, TX )  The City of Laredo is on a fast track to add two new branch libraries to offer the community, but needs some friends and a lot of help to fill those shelves with books.  Thanks to the Laredo Public Library’s non-profit support group, Friends of the Library, that task is going to be much easier.

 Today, the Friends of the Library, whose membership consists of concerned volunteers who are committed to supporting, promoting, improving and expanding library services, announces its year-long schedule of activities designed to raise $250,000 to buy books for the new branch libraries, with its first event, a Chili’s fundraiser, next Monday, October 18, 2010.  Chili’s will donate 10% of every check – dine in or carry-out – to the Friends of the Library book drive.  Simply present a flyer, which can be picked up at Chili’s, the Laredo Public Library, City Hall or the Laredo Public Library’s website at www.laredolibrary.org, to the wait-staff when visiting Chili’s that day. 

 “I am so excited for this campaign to officially kick-off, especially, since we have such great community partners and sponsors helping us to meet our goal,” said Nellie Trust, Friends of the Library president and lead volunteer on this project.  “We need everyone to make a commitment to help fill the shelves of our two new libraries – on opposite ends of town – so that we can continue to create generations of readers.”

 Aside from the Chili’s fundraiser, Friends of the Library will host a “Bowl for Books” bowling tournament next month at Jett Bowl.  The fee is $150 per team to include three games and shoe rentals.  Visit the same locations for more information or to sign up.  Additionally, the organization has two on-going initiatives that will continue throughout the year.  One is the Bricks for Books campaign, where engraved brick pavers, purchased for $50 each, will be placed outside either branch library.  The other program is Adopt-A-Book, where, for $25, a person will be recognized with a nameplate inside the newly purchased book.

 Other initiatives the group will accept are corporate sponsorships or family donations to help furnish and equip the new branches.  Room sponsorship will include a nameplate recognizing the donor.  Of course, the Friends of the Library will also look to apply for grants and trusts to purchase books and equipment. There will be more campaigns and projects throughout the year to help the Friends of the Library meet their goal of $250,000 for that endeavor. 

 “Friends of the Library was instrumental in the building of the Main Laredo Public Library in 1998,” said District I Council Member Mike Garza, in whose district one of the new branch libraries will go.  “I want to encourage the whole community to participate in these fundraising activities, because whatever money is contributed will only increase in value as it helps to support and promote reading in all parts of town.” 

 Throughout the years, aside from promoting library activities and hosting used book sales, the Friends of the Library also accepts donations in order to provide financial support for special projects to enhance library service, augment the library’s book collection and elevate the community’s awareness of the educational opportunities available at the Public Library.