Of the libraries responding , nearly 75% have local Friends groups. These organizations are comprised of members who are involved with a library as volunteers and donors. Libraries said they are interested in receiving assistance with their Friends group. More than half identified ‘membership development’ as a priority. Other needs that were noted included recruiting volunteers (43%) and fund-raising (41%). Respondents also expressed an interest in legislative advocacy, Board training, training volunteers to work in the library, and management of booksales.

As for needs of the library system in general, 41% of respondents identified “improved space” as the highest local concern. Advocacy and marketing also ranked high with 31% of respondents citing advocacy and 28% of respondents citing marketing or community outreach as a need in their districts. Support for computer equipment tied with programming for adults, with nearly 25% of libraries choosing those as areas of interest for assistance.

May 12, 2006 SILENT AUCTION AT BOOK FAIR BENEFITS LIBRARY PEOPLE The 2006 Rocky Mountain Book & Paper Fair in August again benefits Library People with a silent auction. The event, Friday, August 4 (5 to 9 p.m.), and Saturday, August 5 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), brings together nearly 100 dealers in rare, used and antiquarian books. This year dealers in paper and ephemera-such as maps and prints-join the offering. Last year, the initial silent auction raised nearly $1500 for Library People in its first fund-raiser. In addition to collectible books, cultural and entertainment items like certificates for restaurants also are available. Tickets for "Books and All That Jazz" are $10 for Friday and Saturday; $5 for Saturday only. Parking is free at the Denver Merchandise Mart, Denver Merchandise Mart, I-25 and 58th Ave. For more information, and a coupon worth $1 off admission, visit www.rmaba.org.

February 10, 2006
MINI-GRANTS GO TO CHILDREN'S PROJECTS

Library People, in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Antiquarian Booksellers Association and the Colorado State Library, recently awarded sixteen mini-grants of $100 each to public and school libraries to improve children's literacy programs. The grants were awarded to the libraries to promote the visibility of libraries in the community, to encourage children to read and to spotlight the role of libraries in learning and education.

Samples of programs funded by the grants include purchasing books for Smoky Hill Library's book lover's club which works with a group of girls from the Excelsior Youth Center in Aurora. Providing start up money for a listening center at Delta Public Library and funding a storyteller program at Fleming Community Library in conjunction with their Reading is Fundamental (RIF) book give away for preschool to sixth grade students.

Libraries from around the state that received the grants include: Community Montessori School, Boulder; Conejos County Library District, La Jara; CTCF Prison Library, Canon City; Delta Public Library; Fleming Community Library; Dolores County Children's Branch, Dove Creek; Johnson Elementary Media Center, Fort Collins; Lake City Public Library, Lake City; Mesa County Public Library District, Grand Junction; Mountain View Elementary, Broomfield; O'Dea Core Knowledge Elementary Media Center, Fort Collins; Paonia Public Library, Paonia; Smoky Hill Public Library, Arapahoe Library District; Sterling Correctional Facility, Sterling; West Jefferson Elementary School, Conifer; and Yuma Public Library, Yuma.

November 15, 2005
SMALL LIBRARIES RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM LIBRARY PEOPLE

Four small libraries in the state of Colorado were awarded grants of $500 each in 2005 to benefit their communities. The grants were awarded by Library People, an organization that provides an avenue for individuals, corporations and foundations to enhance library collections, services and programs. The recipients of these grants were:

• Baca County Library. This library in Springfield serves a population of older adults; they desired more large print books and books in the western genre. With this grant, they were able to provide these resources to their readers.
• Conejos County Library District. This grant enabled the library district to make a difference at a new branch library established to serve the population of Antonito. The library purchased books used to encourage children to read and take part in the summer reading program.
• Dacono Public Library. It has been found that when viewing movies or programs based on books, young patrons often want to read the book that the movie was based on. The Dacono library used its grant to purchase videos and DVD's that are based on children's literature.
• Flagler Community Library. The library found a need to strengthen its services to preschoolers and their families. They used the grant to purchase picture and alphabet books and enhance activities that support early literacy.

To become involved - as a donor or a volunteer - contact us today or use our donation form.

Library People
2207 Bluebell Avenue
Boulder, CO 80302
303.394.3710
LibraryPeopleColorado@yahoo.com