Friends of the Lincoln Public Library present programs and $8,000 check to city

Theresa Lay Stanislaw, president of the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library, told council on March 12 that the volunteer nonprofit has supported the library for 38 years and operates without paid staff. She said the Friends provided "more than $61,000 for the library and more than 5,500 hours of volunteer service" in the previous year and that the organization has budgeted nearly $116,000 for library support in 2024.

Stanislaw highlighted two programs: a Family Art Night (attended by over 500 people) for which the Friends contributed $3,250 and recruited 22 volunteers, and a new baby literacy kit distributed through Lighthouse Family Service and Counseling (the Friends funded $2,000 to cover books). She presented an $8,000 check to the city described in her remarks as: $3,000 to pay for library staff time for Mother Goose on the Loose and Family Movie Night and $5,000 to supplement a popular book program.

Councilmembers thanked the Friends and accepted the check; council members and staff said they appreciate the volunteer work and fundraising that supports library outreach. The Friends encouraged residents to join or renew membership (membership fee stated in remarks as $15).