8Mar, 2023
    Arizona Cardinals Fund Summer Reading Buddies

    Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library would like to thank Arizona Cardinals Charities for donating $5,000 toward the Summer Reading Buddies program in 2023.

    The program is designed to mitigate the “Summer Slide,” the loss of reading and writing skills over summer vacation that delays learning during the new school year.

    The target audience for this program is 30 to 40 first to fourth graders in South Scottsdale. It last ran in 2019, providing six weeks of services for an average of 22 students.

    The money will be used to purchase new Chromebook laptops to incorporate a technology component during summer reading. Since the program is volunteer-led, costs are restricted to technology, subscriptions, supplies, and refreshments.

    You can find dates for this program on the Scottsdale Public Library website. To learn more about programs funded by the Friends, visit our Programs page.

    4Feb, 2023
    Chick-fil-A Mobile Spirit Night Set for March 15

    Our next restaurant fundraiser will take place at a family favorite location, Chick-fil-A, on Wednesday, March 15 from 4pm to 7pm.

    Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

    The Friends will receive 20 percent of all orders placed via the Chick-fil-A mobile app, Chick-fil-A One, during this period.

    This will work differently than other Friends restaurant fundraisers, in that you don’t need to present a flyer when you order. Here is how to participate:

    1. Download the Chick-fil-A mobile app, Chick-fil-A One, on your phone or tablet
    2. Create an account in the app, or log in using your existing account (you can also sign in with your Apple or Google account)
    3. Choose the “Pickup at restaurant” option and select the 89th & Shea location (near Mustang Library)
    4. Click “Start my order” on Wednesday, March 15 between 4pm and 7pm
    5. You can pay for the food on the app or when you pick-up in store

    The Chick-fil-A One app gives you points for every order you make, so frequent customers are likely already using the app to purchase. Thank you for supporting Scottsdale Public Library with this fundraiser.

    3Jan, 2023
    Birdies for Charity is Back

    Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is once again participating in Birdies for Charity in partnership with the WM Phoenix Open and Thunderbirds Charities on February 6-12.

    Phoenix Open Golfer
    The popular 16th green at TPC Scottsdale generates many birdies every year

    This fundraiser works just like a walk-a-thon, except instead of pledging for every mile completed, you pledge a set amount (as low as $.01) for every birdie scored by a golfer at this year’s tournament.

    With over 1,300 expected birdies, putting in your two cents will still generate plenty of money for the Friends (1,500 birdies at a $.02 pledge would equal a $30 donation). You can also pledge a flat amount.

    This is one of our favorite fundraisers for the year, for a few reasons:

    1. All transaction fees (including credit card processing) are covered by Thunderbirds Charities, meaning whatever you donate is received in its entirety
    2. Thunderbirds Charities offers a 10 percent bonus if a charity receives at least $500, so we can receive extra money based on having more donors

    To participate in Birdies for Charity, visit tinyurl.com/splbirdies2023 and select “Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library” when prompted for your charity. All pledges must be received by 5pm on February 13.

    15Dec, 2022
    BJ’s Fundraiser Set for February 1

    Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library will be partnering with BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Desert Ridge (21001 North Tatum Blvd) to receive 20 percent of food sales on February 1.

    Support the Library will in-person or take-out orders at BJ’s

    From 5pm to 10pm, you have three options to participate in this BJ’s fundraiser:

    1. Dine in and present our flyer at any time during your meal
    2. Order online and enter the six-digit fundraiser code FEB321 when you check-out
    3. Order take-out and present our flyer when paying

    BJ’s has something for all the food lovers in your family, including burgers and steaks, pizza and pasta, and soups and salads.

    While known for its large selection of beers, the Friends will only receive a portion of proceeds from food and non-alcoholic beverages.

    The Friends has raised over $1,700 through restaurant fundraisers in 2021 and 2022, and this is a delicious way to continue supporting the library. Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you on February 1.

    1Nov, 2022
    Krispy Kreme Fundraiser Benefits Friends Through November 30

    During the month of November, you can participate in our Krispy Kreme fundraiser. Enjoy delicious donuts while benefiting the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library through our Digital Dozens campaign.

    Visit https://tinyurl.com/spldonuts to purchase a dozen original glazed donuts between now and November 30 for $12. Once you order, you will receive a non-expiring voucher to pick-up your freshly cooked dozen at any Krispy Kreme location (including the store at 7055 E Shea Blvd in Scottsdale near Mustang Library).

    Krispy Kreme Flyer

    The Friends will receive $4.50 of your purchase (over 33 percent). We have set a goal of 100 dozens sold in hopes of raising $450 toward Scottsdale Public Library programs. There is no limit on how many dozens you order.

    Share this fundraiser with friends and family and help us meet our goal. You’ll enjoy some delicious (and famous) donuts while benefiting a great cause.

    30Oct, 2022
    2022 Spirit of Literacy Award Winners Announced

    Please join us in congratulating the 2022 Spirit of Literacy Award (SOL) winners: Peggy Sharp Chamberlain, Phillip Payne, Mariko Whelan, and the Literary Society of the Southwest (LSSW). The awards will be presented on Saturday, November 5.

    Spirit of Literacy Awards
    Picture of most recent SOL Award plaques

    Since 2002, the SOL Awards recognize significant contributions to support libraries and literacy in Scottsdale by individuals, corporations, foundations, and other entities. The Friends Board of Directors selects the winners annually.

    Sharp Chamberlain was a six year member and former Chair of the Scottsdale Library Board. She also served three years on the Friends Board of Directors and re-launched its membership program, in addition to providing authors for children’s programs at the library.

    Payne is the owner and artist-in-residence at Anticus Fine Art Gallery/Independent Bookstore in Old Town Scottsdale. He hosts author presentations and book clubs, and has partnered with the Friends and LDV Winery on three art, book, and wine pairings during 2022.

    Whelan is the Early Learning, Youth & Teen Services Coordinator for Scottsdale Public Library. She is a published author who presents at conferences on early learning, and facilitates programs sponsored by the Friends such as Family Read Aloud Nights and Girls in STEM.

    LSSW provides grants to community organizations with literacy missions and hosts luncheons with author discussions. LSSW provided funding to the Friends for the SkyRoom renovation and FRAN program.

    For the first time, the 2022 SOL award presentations will be open to the public as they will be incorporated into the Scottsdale Library Cardholder Celebration on November 5 at Scottsdale Stadium. The awards will be presented at 6pm.

    4Oct, 2022
    Friends Funds Bilingual Dial-a-Story Program

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is now funding Scottsdale Public Library’s free Dial-a-Story program, where booklovers can hear a free children’s story in English or Spanish via telephone.

    Dial-a-Story

    To use the program, call (480) 787-0875, then press 1 for English, or 2 for Spanish. The available story rotates weekly, and includes popular titles like “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Fox and the Rooster.”

    The company that provides the service has been in business for 25 years, and Scottsdale Public Library has offered the free program since 2021. To learn more about great free programs offered by the library, visit https://www.scottsdalelibrary.org.

    26Jul, 2022
    Book & Wine Pairing Set for September 18

    In celebration of Banned Books Week from September 18-24, the Friends is hosting an art, book, and wine pairing fundraiser that will discuss banned books on Sunday, September 18 at 6pm.

    Anticus Event
    Attendees enjoying our February wine fundraiser

    This is the third event featuring art viewing, book discussion, and wine tastings that the Friends is putting on at Anticus Fine Art Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale. The previous events both sold out quickly.

    For a $75 ticket, attendees will receive five samples of wine from LDV Estate Winery, appetizers, five book passage readings (at least four of which will feature banned books), and a private screening of five Anticus art pieces. Friends members will receive a $10 discount.

    Attendance is limited to 15 people to ensure a safe and intimate experience. To purchase your ticket, please visit https://ticketstripe.com/events/1030028.

    21Jun, 2022
    Friends Sponsors Summer Reading Program & Girls in STEM

    For the third year in a row, the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is supporting the Summer Reading Program (SRP) to fund prizes for recipients of all ages.

    The theme of this year’s program is “Oceans of Possibilities,” and many of the prizes purchased by the Friends are sea themed. This includes beach balls, fish squirters, and stickers. The Friends also supplied items for teen volunteers helping with the program.

    The program runs from June 1 through August 1, and participants will receive one point for every minute they log of reading time at https://maricopacountyreads.org. Over 4,000 people have already registered.

    Prizes can be earned starting at 250 points, so there is plenty of time left to participate. Other prizes this year include vouchers from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Peter Piper Pizza, Raising Cane’s, and Rubio’s, Phoenix Mercury tickets, and an Arizona State Parks pass.

    The Friends is also supporting the Girls in STEM program, which takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June and July at Civic Center Library. This program promotes careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) for female students (though males are allowed to participate) in sixth through eight grade with 90 minute sessions of hands-on activities.

    Friends’ funding will support supplies including forensic science kits, chemistry sets, and star gazing kits, in addition to speakers and specialists on STEM topics.

    You can support these and other free programs at Scottsdale Public Library branches through a Friends membership.

    17May, 2022
    SkyRoom Now Open for Family Storytime

    Scottsdale Public Library re-opened its storytime room, now known as the SkyRoom, at Civic Center Library on May 12. The ceremony included an open house and a storytime for two and three year olds.

    Sky Room Check Presentation
    Friends, Library and Fiesta Bowl representatives pose with $25,000 check

    The room renovation began in 2021, and more than doubled the size of the space to 3,428 square feet. TheSky Room also features a new audio/visual system, a flat screen Smart TV, and other technological components.

    SkyRoom sponsors Fiesta Bowl Charities and Literary Society of the Southwest were both recognized during the opening remarks. Fiesta Bowl Charities also presented an oversized check and award to the Friends as one of its 2021 grant recipients.

    The overall cost of the renovation was nearly $500,000, and the Friends donated $28,000 during the Phase 1 construction. Phase 2 funding is now underway, where Friends will raise an additional $28,000 to furnish the space with tables, lounge seating, and custom shelving.

    If you would like to donate to this campaign, please visit our Storytime Room Expansion page. If you would like to enjoy the new space with your family, check out the library’s schedule of upcoming Family Storytimes.