News - The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library

1Aug, 2018

Scottsdale Library History Salon Series to Continue This Fall

The Scottsdale Public Library will be continuing its salon series celebrating the history of Scottsdale in September with three free events.

While the previous salon series showcased all its events at the Civic Center branch, this fall’s series will offer programming at three different Library branches.

Just in time for the new school year, the event on Thursday, September 8 will feature A History of Scottsdale’s Schools at Mustang Library from 6pm to 7pm.

Join us at Civic Center Library on Thursday, October 11 for Celebrate 68! 50th Anniversary of Scottsdale’s Civic Center from 6pm to 7pm. This will also include a salute to the Civic Center Architect, Bennie Gonzales.

The last event will help prepare for Scottsdale’s winter visitors with Scottsdale’s Tourism & Resort History. It will take place Thursday, November 15 from 6pm to 7pm at Appaloosa Library, which will turn 10 years old in 2019.

All events are hosted by Scottsdale historians and authors Joan Fudala and Doug Sydnor. They will include photos, videos and other historic documents that will be featured in the Scottsdale Heritage Connection (SHC).

The SHC is a permanent exhibition opening set to open in 2019 to showcase all of the City of Scottsdale’s historical documents. It is being funded through a capital campaign by the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library.

For more information on the series or the City’s historical collection, please visit http://www.scottsdalelibrary.org/historical.

30Apr, 2018

Friends Chosen as Scottsdale Resort Community Thursday Partner

If you like great food, delicious cocktails and excellent views of the Arizona desert, you can enjoy all of that while supporting the Scottsdale Library during Thursdays in May.

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is the official nonprofit partner for Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch‘s Community Thursday program. This means five percent of all sales at Bar Six40 and Kitchen West on Thursdays (after 4pm) next month will be donated to the Friends.

The Friends will be designating any money raised to the Scottsdale Heritage Connection, which is a fundraiser to build a permanent exhibit at Civic Center Library to showcase all of Scottsdale’s written and photographic history.

To participate, all you need to do is enjoy a delicious meal at either Bar Six40 or Kitchen West during any of the five Thursdays in May 2018. You don’t need to mention the Friends or Scottsdale Library, but the more people you bring, the more money we raise.

Please spread the word and help us preserve Scottsdale’s history while enjoying happy hour or dinner and one of the last chances to dine outside until October.

25Jan, 2018

Scottsdale Library to Feature Monthly Salon Series of Scottsdale History

The Scottsdale Library will host a series of free monthly events to showcase the history of the city beginning Thursday, February 22.

The events will all take place at the Civic Center branch from 6pm to 7pm, and will be hosted by Scottsdale historians and authors Joan Fudala and Doug Sydnor. Each session will have a theme, and will feature photos, videos and other historic documents collected by the City.

The first event on February 22 will focus on Scottsdale Special Events History. Subsequent events that are already planned include:

Scottsdale Art History on Thursday, March 8
Scottsdale’s History of Preservation on Thursday, April 12
Scottsdale’s Historic Properties & Architectural History on Thursday, May 17

The salon series will promote the Library’s Scottsdale Heritage Connection, a project of the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library to create a permanent exhibition that showcases all of the City’s historical documents.

For more information on the series or the City’s historical collection, please visit http://www.scottsdalelibrary.org/historical.

17Nov, 2017

Friends Raises Funds via 1st Bank Good Week

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library participated in 1st Bank’s annual Good Week on November 14 to raise money for the Scottsdale Heritage Connection (SHC).

*SHC volunteers at 1st Bank Good Week event*

Good Week provided free lunches at its branches in Gilbert and Scottsdale all week from local restaurants. The Friends partnered with Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers, which offered burgers, macaroni and cheese and non-alcoholic drinks.

Friends promoted the SHC and raised money from interested donors. The event raised over $100 toward the SHC project.

Thank you to 1st Bank for providing this platform to promote the preservation of Scottsdale’s history.

5Sep, 2017

Friends to Host Book Fair at Barnes & Noble from September 7-12

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is excited to once again partner with Barnes & Noble on a book fair, with a portion of book sales proceeds benefiting the Friends.

From Thursday, September 7 through Tuesday, September 12, you can participate in one of three ways:

Bring in this flyer when you shop at the Barnes & Noble at Shea Boulevard and the 101 freeway in Scottsdale and show it at checkout, or mention that you are supporting the Scottsdale Library book fair
Attend the free Children’s Learning Festival on September 9 at WestWorld and purchase one of the children’s books written by a local Arizona author
Visit http://bn.com/bookfairs and use bookfair ID 12217683 at checkout

These are all great ways to support lifelong learning while also raising money for the Scottsdale Library. Thank you for your continued support.

3Sep, 2017

Tuft & Needle Supports Scottsdale Library Through Affiliate Program

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library are partnering with local mattress manufacturer Tuft & Needle on a fundraiser where 25 percent of proceeds from mattresses sold using the Friends code will go to the Scottsdale Library.

If you’re in the market for a new mattress, simply take the following steps to participate:

Visit https://www.tuftandneedle.com/?p=993dc660
Purchase one of the mattresses, which will be delivered to your house

You can also visit one of the Tuft & Needle showrooms throughout the Valley to test out different mattresses, but in order to benefit the Library you’ll need to mention it when you check out.

20Jul, 2017

Friends to Co-Host Children’s Learning & Play Festival September 9

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library are once again excited to be partnering on the Children’s Learning & Play Festival, set for September 9 at WestWorld in Scottsdale from 9am to 4pm.

Last year’s inaugural event drew over 12,000 attendees for a day of children’s activities including authors and illustrators, STEM programming and a play zone with games, arts and crafts.

The Friends are once again sponsoring the authors and illustrators, which last year included Marc Brown, author of the Arthur the Aardvark book series that was adapted into a PBS children’s show. This year, authors will be selling and signing copies of their books thanks to a partnership with Barnes & Noble, who will be processing all transactions and donating a percentage of sales of the Friends.

Just like last year, the Festival is free of charge for all attendees, and will be indoors and air-conditioned. Parking will be $5, and we are requesting a non-perishable food donation to support the Vista Del Camino Food Bank.

This year’s Children’s & Learning Festival is presented by Tuft & Needle.

10Jun, 2017

Mustang Library Turns 30 in 2017

The Mustang Library branch officially turns 30 years old on June 13.

While it may not have the visual recognition of the Arabian branch or the Old Town history of Civic Center, it’s the second oldest branch in Scottsdale and also the second biggest at over 31,000 square feet.

It also provided new innovations to Library patrons like drive-up window service for check-outs and returns.

If you haven’t been to Mustang in awhile, stop by to celebrate its 30 years as a mainstay in the Scottsdale community.

5May, 2017

Scottsdale Heritage Connection Campaign Kicks Off May 10

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is excited to be supporting a $1 million capital campaign for the Scottsdale Heritage Connection, which officially launches on May 10.

The new permanent exhibition, which is scheduled to open in spring 2019, will celebrate the history of Scottsdale through photographs and images, phone books, year books and other media, and interviews with Scottsdale residents.

The space will encompass 2,300 square feet in the Civic Center Library as well as kiosks in each of the other Scottsdale Library branches.

The Friends will be the official 501(c)(3) partner of this campaign, ensuring that all donations are tax deductible. The Friends also made the first donation to the campaign of $5,000. The campaign is being headed by Carol Damaso, former Director of the Scottsdale Public Library.

“Scottsdale’s ‘heritage’ will move front and center at the Library to provide visitors the best place for local research, audio/video presentations from citizens and historical perspective for the City’s present and future,” said Damaso. Added current Library Director Kathleen Wade, “It will become another way for visitors to ‘experience Scottsdale.'”

The Friends’ previous capital campaigns include raising $500,000 in funding for Knowasis: The Thunderbirds Charities Teen Learning Center, allowing teenagers an activity space in the Civic Center Library branch.

Here is a brochure to learn more about the Scottsdale Heritage Connection, and if you’d like to donate, please visit our Scottsdale Heritage Connection page.

2Mar, 2017

First Books2Go Micro-Library Launches April 11

The newest way to access books in the City of Scottsdale will become a reality next month, as the first Books2Go structure will be unveiled April 11 at 11am at Chaparral Dog Park.

*Books2Go micro-library for Chaparral Dog Park*

Books2Go micro-libraries will be installed in City of Scottsdale parks and other convenient locations to provide a “take one, leave one” opportunity for those seeking books to read. The first installation will take the shape of a dog house to reflect its location in the dog park.

Each Books2Go installation is being designed by Jim Nance as part of the Library’s partnership with Intel and Experience Matters.

The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library provided funding for the construction and supplies of the Books2Go structures, while the initial books were funded through a donation by the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors. The project is a collaboration between the Library, the Scottsdale Parks Department and the Scottsdale Facilities Department.

Please join us on April 11 for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Chaparral Dog Park, and stay tuned for more Books2Go installations in 2017 currently planned at Mountain View Park and Indian School Park.