Friends of the Key West Library Donate $50,000 to the Library

Even during these stressful times, critical institutions such as our public library continue to provide much needed services to all residents. The need for funding is always present but the Friends’ donation of $50,000 this year is especially welcomed.

Roberta Isleib, president of the Friends of the Key West Library, says, “Our favorite Friends moment every year is the day we hand over the “big check” to our wonderful librarian. All dues and donations collected by the Friends as well as the proceeds of our book sales go directly to support the Key West Library. We have learned during this horrible pandemic time that both reading and staying connected help keep us sane, so that means our library is more important than ever.”

Pictured (L to R) Roberta Isleib, president of the Friends of the Key West Library, Michael Nelson, library administrator, Tom Clements, treasurer presenting a $50,000 check in support of the Key West Library.

Librarian Michael Nelson reminds us that libraries are a microcosm of democracy, and this is particularly true during times of financial difficulty. “Libraries allow people of all income levels to have the same opportunity to read, have access to new information and get exposed to current and past culture. Supporting libraries is essential.”

Funds given by the Friends goes directly into building the library’s collection of books, eBooks, eAudiobooks and various feature films, documentaries and series available on Blu-ray or DVD. This includes materials for the Children’s department and items for the young adult population. The donation also helps further develop theFlorida History department, which has been working extensively on the digitization of historical documents, photographs, and films, which is both costly and time-intensive, but enormously popular and extends the library’s reach to the entire nation.

The donation money also helps the library offer new eResources, such as Mango, which is a learning language application/program. The library started offering Mango in 2019 and has proven especially popular with patrons who are learning English as a second language. There are approximately 70 different languages you can begin learning by using this resource. Another recent popular addition is the streaming service called Kanopy, which offers a plethora of independent cinema, documentaries, classics, world cinema, and The Great Courses, which offers the opportunity to view lectures by leading scholars on a number of fascinating topics.

For more information about the Key West Library and the enormous range of services that it offers, please visit https://keyslibraries.org/.

You can also support the work of the Friends by becoming a member of the Friends. Learn more at https://www.friendsofthekeywestlibrary.org/join

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