Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation Programs
The funds Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation raises enable the library system to offer innovative programs and services in response to social, cultural, and economic needs in our communities. For example:
More than 15,000 children participated in the Foundation-funded Summer Reading program every year. If children are not interested and engaged in reading during their summer break, more than 25% of the previous school year's learning may be lost!
Every year, we fund more than 50 free programs in our 21 community libraries for pre-school and elementary-aged children and their families. Topics ranged from puppets to science to history and math and music. One event drew more than 200 people!
We award Foundation scholarships to Sno-Isle Library employees who are seeking their Master's in Library and Information Sciences degree. What makes a library a success isn't only what is on the shelves, but the staff who work there.
We support literacy programs for the very young to the very old, multicultural programs for children, families and adults, teen-centered activities that promote positive choices and much more.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
We only need $70,000 more to buy two new bookmobiles!
Our Bookmobiles serve seniors, at-risk youth, low-income neighborhoods and rural, outlying communities with limited access to a neighboring library. In 2012, more than 40,000 patrons checked out 172,000 items on our Bookmobile.
We do this with a 14-year-old Bookmobile and an 11-year-old Mini Van, both with costly annual repair bills and horrible, horrible gas mileage.
Most importantly, these vehicles do not meet the needs of our communities and limits our services to book delivery and reference services. We could do so much more.
We want to replace the Bookmobile and Van with a new Bookmobile and a Cart Service Van in order to provide contemporary mobile library services!
Buying two new Bookmobiles would increase our services by 20%! Those who cannot make it to a library would still have the opportunity to experience the joy of literacy, exploration and knowledge.