30Nov, 2021
    Friends Memberships to be Matched During December 2021

    Through the generous support of a Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library donor, all Friends memberships during December will be matched (up to $2,500) as an extra donation to the Friends.

    Friends memberships start at $35 annually, and include benefits like member-only author presentations and exclusive book sales. All donations are tax-deductible.

    Money raised by the Friends funds Scottsdale Public Library events and programs, including the Storytime Room expansion, Summer Reading Program, and Ultimate PlayDate.

    To become a Friends member, visit this page and you can pay online via credit card. You can also fill out and mail our membership brochure to:

    The Friends of Scottsdale Public Library
    PO Box 71
    Scottsdale, AZ 85252

    All new and renewal memberships completed between now and the end of 2021 will count toward the membership matching promotion.

    9Nov, 2021
    Congratulations to Spirit of Literacy Award Winners

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library honored the 2020 and 2021 Spirit of Literacy Award recipients at a breakfast at Civic Center Library on November 5.

    Spirit of Literacy Award Honorees
    Mayor David Ortega with the 2020 and 2021 Spirit of Literacy Award winners

    This year’s event honored two years of winners because the 2020 breakfast had to be postponed due to COVID-19. All honorees were selected by the Friends Board of Directors.

    The 2021 recipients included Jim & Sandy Bruner, Christine & Rick Kovach, Teresa Kim Hayes-Quale, and Karen Yamasaki. The 2020 recipients were Lois McFarland, David & Diana Smith, and the Silverman Family Foundation.

    Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega presented the seven awards, and historian (and former Friends Board President and Spirit of Literacy Award winner) Joan Fudala wrote up introductions highlighting their candidacies.

    The honorees included three former City Councilmen, three former Library Board members, and three Scottsdale Leadership graduates. All have been loyal advocates and fundraisers for Scottsdale Public Library.

    The Spirit of Literacy Awards were first awarded in 2002, and have recognized individuals, foundations, and corporations who support libraries and literacy in Scottsdale. For a full list of previous winners, visit this page.

    4Nov, 2021
    Author Jenn McKinlay Entertains Friends Members

    The latest “Airtime With an Author” event welcomed New York Times best-selling author Jenn McKinlay to the patio at Appaloosa Library on Tuesday, November 2.

    Author Jenn McKinlay discusses her work with Friends members

    McKinlay is the author of 49 books, specializing in mystery and romance novels. She is based in Phoenix.

    She previously worked part time at Phoenix Public Library while pursuing her dream of becoming an author, and met her husband while both were library employees.

    McKinlay discussed how she got started as an author, providing funny stories about her experiences working with editors. She explained ongoing challenges in the writing industry, and documented key family events that coincided with career milestones.

    The event offered limited capacity, was outside, and practiced social distancing to ensure member safety. McKinlay also signed copies of her books.

    “Airtime With an Author” events are one of the many perks of becoming a Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library member, and are held several times per year.