17Dec, 2019
    Newest Books2Go Library Now Open in Scottsdale

    On Monday, December 16, Scottsdale Public Library officially opened a Books2Go mobile-library at Paiute Neighborhood Center in south Scottsdale.

    Mayor Jim Lane celebrates the opening of a Books2Go mobile-library with Girl Scouts from Troop 4

    Mayor Jim Lane was on-hand for a ribbon cutting of the newest Books2Go creation, which was created by Girl Scouts from Troop 4.

    The Books2Go program, which began with funding from the Friends, now has five mobile libraries in public spaces throughout Scottsdale.

    Each micro-library is stocked with books based on a theme of the location. For instance, the first Books2Go location opened in Chaparral Dog Park, so the books are pet-themed and the box is shaped like a doghouse.

    Other Books2Go locations include Mountain View Park, Sonoran Hills Park, and Pinnacle Peak Park.

    If you’d like to help build more micro-libraries for Scottsdale, please consider becoming a Friend of the Scottsdale Public Library.

    17Jun, 2019
    Scottsdale Heritage Connection Featured in Several Local Publications

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library’s recent fundraising effort, the Scottsdale Heritage Connection (SHC), was profiled in a recent articles in the Scottsdale Independent and Scottsdale Progress.

    SHC Construction
    Construction of the Scottsdale Heritage Connection in progress

    The Independent article interviewed Library staff as well as the Scottsdale Charros, one of the donors to the SHC project. It also highlighted additional fundraising efforts by the Friends, including the Books2Go micro libraries.

    The Progress article focused on the May City Council meeting where the Scottsdale Library approved of naming rights for the interior space for the Messinger Family.

    Both articles included construction images of the SHC space in Civic Center Library.

    If the links to the articles no longer work, you can also access screenshots from the Independent and Progress websites.

    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.

    15Feb, 2017
    Spring is Busy Time for Scottsdale Public Library

    With winter visitors and beautiful weather already started, the Scottsdale Public Library has plenty of fun events on tap for spring 2017.

    On March 4, the Civic Center branch will feature the 4th Ultimate Play Date from 9am to 2pm. This event is catered to children ages 0-8, and will include Play Zones specializing in everything from music & dance to science & technology. There will also be a grilled cheese food truck. All activities are free of charge.

    From March 27 to April 1, Mustang Library will be hosting Garden Week. Every day will have free special events, including a flower show, presentations from the Butterfly Wonderland and the Maricopa Audubon Society and tips on landscaping, urban farming and Xeriscape. It will culminate on April 1 with a book sale.

    From April 9 to April 15, celebrate National Library Week. This annual national celebration has been promoting appreciation of our local libraries since 1958. The theme for 2017 will once again be “Libraries Transform,” and two-time World Cup champion Julie Foudy will serve as honorary chair.

    Lastly, be on the lookout for the first Books2Go installation at Chaparral Park in March. Shaped like a doghouse to match the dog park where it’s located, it will be a micro-library supporting the “take a book, leave a book” system. No library card is required to use this program.

    15Nov, 2016
    Friends Relaunches Membership Program

    Are you looking to support programming at the Scottsdale Public Library? Well for as low as $35, you can join the Friends of Scottsdale Public Library and provide invaluable funding to our programs.

    All donations are tax-deductible and support important Library programs like author visits, children’s educational events and our external projects like Books2Go and Story Stroll. Memberships last for one year, and we’ll even highlight you on our website.

    If your company offers employee matching, make sure you mention your donation or even your volunteer hours if you help out at a Library branch. It’s possible your employer will match your donation.

    Thank you so much to our Friends, as we couldn’t provide great programming at the Library without their support.

    15Oct, 2016
    Friends Sponsors Four Library Fellowships

    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library helped make four key Library programs a reality by facilitating four fellowships through the Experience Matters program.

    Each of the Fellows will work on special Library programming through financial support of Intel. Since 2011, Intel has placed and funded 60 former employees yearly in positions with non-profit groups that may utilize their experience in fields like engineering and project management.

    For the Library, here are the four programs funded for 2016-2017:

    • Justin Bingham will serve as Project Developer for Story Stroll. Story Stroll is an opportunity for families to read a children’s book, page by page, as they walk through parks and other outdoor areas. This is a year-long fellowship.
    • Arnie Dominguez will serve as Project Developer for the Ultimate Play Date. This annual event in March brings together children ages 0-8 to experience learning at different Play Zones like adventure, music & dance and science & technology. The 2017 Ultimate Play Date will take place March 4. This is a six-month fellowship.
    • Jim Nance will serve as Builder for the Books2Go Program. Books2Go is a series of micro-libraries in City of Scottsdale parks filled with free books for the public in a “take one, leave one” style system. This is a year-long fellowship.
    • Jim Willittes will serve as Coordinator for the STEAM Program. Short for science, technology, engineering, art and math, the STEAM Program will be a series of events designed to educate children in these important fields. This is a year-long fellowship.

    The Friends coordinated all the paperwork for these fellowships and is serving as the operations agency on behalf of the Library.