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The answer is simple: The mission of Friends of the Library is to support our local public library and thereby enrich our community. Let me provide a bit of context.
From 1999 to April 15, 2015, the Friends of the Kinston-Lenoir County Library raised $ 261,828.00 in memberships and donations. This money funded, on average, 30 programs each year, or nearly 500 programs over that 16-year period. From July 2013 to June 2014, approximately 26,000 people participated in programs sponsored by Friends. From July 2018 to June 2021, more than 73,500 people participated in the Friends sponsored programs.
When tough economic times strike, the library becomes even more crucial to the lives of local citizens. After all, patrons can use most of the library’s resources free of charge. Few organizations in our community are as open to all residents as the Library.
The services offered by the Library and supported by the Friends have evolved over time to keep pace with the development of technology and the Internet. You may be surprised at some of the services offered at the Library now. In addition to traditional materials such as audiobooks and books, DVDs, games and periodicals, the library also offers extensive collections of e-books, e-magazines and e-audiobooks through e-iNC digital libraries and NC KIDS. These electronic resources are accessible through NC LIVE.
The library has partnered with local school systems to give every child in public schools a library account linked to the student ID number. Students can view documents and download eBooks to their school devices. The library also provides laptops and personal hotspots for payment and offers activities with exciting new technologies, such as 3D printing and virtual reality.
A few facts about our public library might surprise you. Our library serves a geographic area that covers 402 square miles and has a population of approximately 58,000. Of these citizens, over 75 percent have library cards.
Your support is an investment that pays rich dividends to our community. Since 2018, the Friends of the Kinston-Lenoir County Library have helped fund programming that includes musical acts, speakers and community celebrations. A significant number of these programs are specifically aimed at the youngest members of our community, including storytelling festivals, STEM enrichment programs, early literacy programs, bookmark contests and museum tours and others. educational institutions.
Our library opens the doors to new opportunities for local patrons of all ages. The support of Friends of the Library helps make these opportunities possible.
You can donate to this fundraiser by stopping by the loan counter or by asking a member of the Friends board. I have five bills with a burning desire to leave the envelope and go into your pocket. If I miss any, I can have more. Contact me.
But I must warn you: only a limited number of tickets are available. It’s time to act.
Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at [email protected].
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