Volunteer-run Keizer library and neighborhood councils report rising use, new 'Friends' nonprofit

Chris Adams, who introduced himself as a 61-year resident and volunteer with multiple neighborhood groups, told the Keizer Community Engagement Committee on Dec. 4 that the volunteer-run Keizer Public Library is seeing rising patronage and expanded youth programming.

"I am Chris Adams," he said. "The kind of community library is a very open library," and noted free computer access, low-cost copying (10¢ a copy with the first five free) and preschool reading programs that grew from a couple of children to about 25 at a time.

Adams described three roles he serves: board member and volunteer at the Keizer Community Library, board member of the West Keizer Neighborhood Association, and chair of the Cummings Neighborhood Family Council. He said the library recently hired a part-time manager, Emily, who holds a master’s degree in library science and brings experience from other libraries.

Adams said the groups have formed a Friends of the Library nonprofit to handle fundraising and grant-writing so volunteers can focus on front-line services. "They're going to be the ones that write the grants," he said, adding the Friends organization will receive and distribute funds transparently to support library operations and growth.

He also described the Cummings Neighborhood Family Council, formed last February, which provides a recurring $1,000 monthly donation for resource fairs and reported its most recent fair served roughly 115–120 families with more than 500 participants. Adams offered to provide a fuller written report to the committee.

The committee did not take formal action on the report but thanked Adams and encouraged him to submit the written materials he offered. The presentation was taken as informational and will remain available for future committee follow-up.