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.

    8Apr, 2020
    Scottsdale Libraries to Go Fine-Free Starting July 1

    Scottsdale City Council voted on Tuesday, April 7 to stop charging late fines on overdue Scottsdale Public Library materials effective July 1, 2020.

    Scottsdale joins over 300 cities that will no longer charge late fines to Library patrons, although members will still be financially responsible for any lost or damaged items. The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library would like to thank the Scottsdale Library Board for its efforts on researching and proposing this initiative in coordination with the Library.

    In January 2019, the American Library Association (ALA) passed a resolution that urged libraries to scrutinize their fines programs and strengthen their funding support so they are not dependent on fines as a source of revenue.

    ALA found that blocking library cards due to unpaid fines was a form of social inequity. Currently in Scottsdale, over 7,600 library cards are blocked, with a majority of the blocked cards from addresses south of Camelback Road.

    The Friends supports the fine-free resolution and submitted an official comment to City Council in favor.

    If you would like to help supplement some of the lost revenue from Scottsdale Public Library fines, please consider a Friends membership. Money raised from your tax-deductible donation supports Library events and programs.

    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.

    9Oct, 2019
    Former Friends Board Members Receive Historic Preservation Recognition Awards

    Two former Presidents of the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library recently received Historic Preservation Recognition Awards from the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on October 5.

    Paul Messinger (left) and Douglas Sydnor (right) presented with Historic Preservation Awards

    Paul Messinger and Douglas Sydnor received the awards due to their efforts preserving the history of Scottsdale.

    In addition to their time serving on the Friends Board, both Messinger and Sydnor were committee members who helped raise funds for the Scottsdale Heritage Connection, the Friends’ major fundraising effort from 2017-19. They were also Gold and Silver donors, respectively, toward the new space.

    The SHC will officially open to the public on Saturday, October 19 within Civic Center Library. It will preserve the written and oral history of Scottsdale, offering research opportunities and historic lectures.

    “Paul Messinger is a walking encyclopedia on everything Scottsdale and very much deserves to be recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution for his contributions to preserving history,” wrote Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s Official State Historian, in his letter of recommendation.

    Sydnor has authored three books on Arizona Historic architecture, and in 2018 received the Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award.

    The Friends congratulates Messinger and Sydnor on their recent honor, and thanks them for helping preserve the history of Scottsdale.

    13Dec, 2018
    Friends Donates Over $100K to Preserve Scottsdale History

    For Immediate Release

    Scottsdale, Ariz. (December 14, 2018) – The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library presented a $101,200 donation to the Scottsdale City Council at the December 12 Council meeting to be used for the Scottsdale Heritage Connection (SHC), a 2,000 square foot modern research space to house a collection of the oral, written and visual history of Scottsdale.

    Scottsdale Heritage Connection Architect Doug Sydnor addresses Scottsdale City Council with a presentation on the SHC before the money was donated

    The money raised is through a public-private partnership including leaders of the Scottsdale community like Paul Messinger, Honorary SHC Committee Chair. Over 60 Library supporters and community citizens have donated, in addition to contributions from area corporations and foundations.

    This $101,200 is the first of several planned donations to the SHC project. It will provide supplemental funding to ensure that construction schedule will continue moving forward in the spring of 2019. The City of Scottsdale has planned for the project in its Capital Improvements Project budget for 2018-2019 fiscal year.

    The permanent 2,000 square foot glass walled area, set to open in 2019, is being branded as “a window to the past, a celebration of the present and a portal to the future.” It will be a newly built space next to the Knowasis Teen Center in the Civic Center Library. The archives will include:

    • Over 10,000 photographs and images of Scottsdale, its buildings, events and residents
    • More than 450 video and audio recordings highlighting the City’s rich history
    • 700 books, phone directories, local media and Scottsdale high school yearbooks
    • Local newspaper clippings from as early as the 1950s

    The Friends is grateful to the many donors of the Library’s Southwest Collection since 1973, which provided the framework for the current SHC collection. For example, in the 1980s, numerous donors honored the memory of the late Scottsdale Mayor B.L. “Bud” Tims through contributions to the Southwest Collection.

    The new SHC space will expand public access and research resources regarding Scottsdale’s diverse history. It will also provide artifact display opportunities, with computers to access the online collection, a private room to conduct research, and a designated area for lectures and community meetings related to local history.

    “We are so thankful for the generous donations thus far from advocates for Scottsdale history,” said Carol Damaso, SHC Campaign Committee Chair and former Director of the Scottsdale Public Library. “We look forward to the Friends making another donation soon to fund the completion of this project.”

    As the official 501(c)(3) campaign partner, the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is accepting tax-deductible donations of all levels to support the SHC. To learn more or to donate, please visit https://scottsdalelibraryfriends.org/shc. High-resolution images of the project design are available for media use.

    About the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library
    The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library, founded in 1985, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization whose members support Scottsdale’s Library system through public education, advocacy, and fundraising. The Friends provides funding for Scottsdale Public Library programming and resources to support lifelong learning.

    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.