21Feb, 2022
    Eat at Portillo’s to Benefit Library on February 28

    Our next restaurant fundraiser will take place Monday, February 28 from 3pm to 9pm at Portillo’s in Scottsdale, where 20 percent of your purchase will benefit Scottsdale Library.

    Portillo's Food
    A sample of food available at Portillo’s

    Portillo’s specializes in Chicago-style food, including hot dogs and Italian beef. It also features salads and pasta dishes.

    Here is how to participate in this fundraiser:

    1. Visit Portillo’s (10574 N 90th St, a mile from Mustang Library on Shea Blvd) anytime between 3pm and 9pm
    2. Show this flyer, printed or on your phone), or mention Scottsdale Library when you first order (if ordering drive-thru, you must mention the fundraiser at the ordering window)

    Our restaurant fundraisers brought in over $1,300 during 2021, and we appreciate all support as we continue raising money for the library.

    13Feb, 2022
    Friends to Host Author Wynne Brown on March 6

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is pleased to host Arizona author Wynne Brown at the Museum of the West in Old Town Scottsdale on Sunday, March 6 from 2pm to 4pm.

    Wynne Brown and her book The Forgotten Botanist

    Brown’s most recent book is The Forgotten Botanist: Sara Plummer Lemmon’s Life of Science and Art.

    This is the story of two botanists (Sara Plummer Lemmon and her husband John Gill Lemmon) that discover hundreds of new plant species in the Western United States.

    Friends is hosting this event at the Museum of the West to bring together literary and historical audiences. The presentation with include a conversation with the author and free book signing.

    Friends members will receive a special meet-and-greet session with Brown in addition to her presentation.

    Although this free event is taking place in the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust theater, registration is required and attendance will be limited due to COVID-19. If you would like to reserve your spot, please contact the Museum of the West at 480-686-9539 or [email protected].

    17Jan, 2022
    Join Us for Birdies for Charity, Chance to Win $25 Gift Card

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is once again participating in Birdies for Charity through the WM Phoenix Open, and this year your donation could win you a $25 Amazon.com gift card.

    Help us hit the perfect drive by participating in Birdies for Charity 2022

    This fundraiser is sponsored by Thunderbirds Charities through the annual golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale.

    It works just like a walk-a-thon, except you are pledging a fixed amount (as low as $.01) for each birdie scored at the golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale.

    With over 1,500 birdies typically scored by PGA golfers at the event, even small pledges result in significant donations ($.01 per birdie x 1,500 birdies = $15 donation). You can also donate a fixed amount.

    The Friends will receive 100 percent of the donation if you choose us as your non-profit, and Thunderbirds will match 10 percent of funds once we reach $500 in total donations.

    As an added perk for this year’s donors, anyone who pledges at least $.02 per birdie (or $25 fixed) is eligible to participate in our “Guess the Birdies” contest. Whoever guesses closest to the actual number of birdies scored at the event will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift card.

    To donate, visit http://birdiesforcharityaz.com and click the Donate/Register button. All pledges must be received by 5pm on Sunday, February 13, 2022, and if you want to participate in the Guess the Birdies contest, your pledge needs to be in by Wednesday, February 9 at 5pm.

    If you would prefer not to donate online, you can fill out and mail in this pledge form to:

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

    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.

    28Oct, 2021
    Enjoy a Free Concert for Library Cardholders on November 12

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is sponsoring a night of music and fun featuring 80’s music band Rock Lobster on Friday, November 12 at 5:30pm.

    Scottsdale Stadium (7408 E Osborn Road) will host this free event that is exclusive to Scottsdale Public Library (SPL) cardholders of all ages, as a celebration of the Library Card Campaign running through November 30. SPL has set a goal of 2,000 new card sign-ups.

    Doors will open at 5:30pm, with the concert beginning at 6:30pm. Attendees can park at Civic Center Library next door, and they’ll need to show a library card to enter.

    There’s no RSVP required to attend, so just stop by on November 12. You can bring chairs and blankets, and there will be food and drinks available to purchase.

    Be sure to stop by the Friends table at the event, as we’ll be raising awareness of the Friends and signing up new members. It’s a great way to show your love for the library.

    17Oct, 2021
    Happy Friends of Libraries Week

    October 17-31 is National Friends of Libraries Week, and we want to thank all the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library members for supporting our initiatives to improve the experience at the library.

    We have plenty of ways to celebrate over the next two weeks, including a fundraiser at Oregano’s on Tuesday, October 19 (20 percent of sales go to the Friends when you present this flyer) and free book bingo on Tuesday, October 26.

    One easy (and free) way to show your library friendship is to sign up for a library card. SPL has a goal of 2,000 new card sign-ups by November 30, and the goal is well over halfway complete.

    Library cardholders will also be invited to a Library Appreciation Night at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday, November 12, which includes entertainment funded by the Friends.

    If you want to support this and other library programs, please consider a Friends membership. They start at just $35 annually, and you’ll receive invites to author presentations and more fun activities.

    28Sep, 2021
    Art & Literature Scavenger Hunt Set for October 14

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is partnering with the Scottsdale Gallery Association on the “Clue: Art + Literature Trivia Scavenger Hunt” featuring clues about well-known artists on Thursday, October 14.

    This event is part of the Gold Palette ArtWalk series, monthly themed events taking place in the Arts district of Old Town Scottsdale as part of the Thursday ArtWalk. From 6:30pm to 9pm, guests can walk down Main Street and see trivia questions about artists and their relation to Arizona. They can then enter the 20 participating galleries for answers to the questions.

    The goal of the scavenger hunt is to intrigue and entice art enthusiasts to learn while they enjoy world-class artwork.

    The Friends will also have a table at the Casa des Artistes Plaza (Main Street and Marshall Way) where guests can sign up for free Scottsdale Public Library cards, purchase used books, and spin the prize wheel.

    There is no cost to participate in this event, or any of the other Gold Palette ArtWalk events in Scottsdale.

    27Aug, 2021
    Join Us for Book Bingo on October 26

    Just in time for Halloween, you can enjoy some book tricks and treats featuring New York Times best-selling authors at our free book bingo event on Tuesday, October 26 from 3pm to 4:30pm.

    This virtual event is open to Maricopa County residents, and features authors Matt Coyle, Nicola Harrison, Greta Kelly, Laura Morelli, Sarah Warburton, and Karen White. While you enjoy the authors speak about their work, you’ll also be marking off key words on the bingo card supplied on your phone.

    Just like in regular bingo, participants will compete to cover five squares in a row. Winners will receive free copies of the authors’ books.

    To register for this event, please visit https://adventuresbythebook.com/event/book-bingo-trick-treat-2021/ and scroll down to where it says “Tickets.” You’ll receive a Zoom link and bingo card the week of the event from Adventures By the Book.

    Avid readers should also consider becoming a Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library member to join our monthly book club discussions, which are available at the Contributing Friend level and above.