Anne Arundel County Public Library Newsletter Winter 2024-25

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Guests Learn First-Hand How Every $ Makes a Difference All who attended the library foundation’s annual fundraising event in September were able to experience the impact donor support makes on the library, every day. Guests got a first-hand glimpse at some critical resources that are funded through donors like you such as the new driving simulator and the memory lab. Kindergarten readiness, music and movement and STEM/Makerspace resources were on display as well as the newly opened outdoor play area with benches and musical instruments. The lactation pod, recently installed at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall was shown via a SMART Board. All were donor funded. Event guests learned that – with their library card – they can receive one-on-one training to learn to use equipment to digitize family photos, slides and home movies at the Odenton and Busch Annapolis branches. Guests delighted in literacy programs and the large-scale engineering building kit. Yes, the library even has sewing machines. (See photo, opposite page.) Not all items are available at all locations since each branch works to serve their unique community needs when donor funding is available. Your support is needed to ensure your library is the best it can be. We hope you attend next year’s For the Love of the Library so you can see library offerings funded through donor support.

FOR THE L VE OF THE LIBRARY T he Library Foundation’s annual fundraiser, For the Love of the Library, brought together around 375 community members and library supporters for an evening that celebrated the essential role of the library. Held at the Busch Annapolis Library, the event raised over $156,000 to support programs and resources not fully covered by public funding. We are incredibly thankful to Jessica and Michael Beckerman and Barry and Ann McKown for their generous support as gold partners, which has a powerful impact on our programs and service to the community. We are deeply grateful for all our partners (listed below) whose support continues to enrich our community through expanded access to library resources. Attendees enjoyed interactive engagement stations, which provided a firsthand look into the library’s diverse range of services— from educational programs to digital resources—that benefit the entire community. Many left with a renewed appreciation for the library’s role in supporting lifelong learning, as well as a reminder that public funding alone is not sufficient to cover all of the library’s valuable programs. Thank you to all of the people who made this event so successful! We look forward to welcoming even more community members to next year’s event in 2025.

Make the Library a Part of your Year-end Giving! Likely something you or your family loves at the library is only made possible through donations! This Gift Provides $1,000 Heritage month activities, musical performances and programs Supplies for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative for one branch Annual subscription for Library Happenings online Flipbook $500 Supplies for our hugely popular teen lock-in events Discovery Dock educational toy refresh for one branch $250 STEM hands-on learning activities, supplies and programs Sewing, mug press, iron and Cricut replenishment supplies in our Makerspaces. Temporary tattoo airbrush kit $100 Hotspot data for one year for one device Cricut subscription for a year for one branch Art supplies such as paints, colored pencils, charcoal and paper

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Linda Greene President Jane Campbell-Chambliss Vice President Tessie LaRose Ballard Secretary Martha O. Blaxall Treasurer Betsy Bender Vanessa Carter Noah Comet ex-officio Katie Prechtl Cooke Ishani Gandhi ex-officio Mary S. Hagerty Anne Hamel Stephen R. Holt Stacy L. Korbelak Ian Marchanti Kris Maslonka Don Rau Diane Rinaldo Karen W. Smith Tim Williams Skip Auld AACPL CEO and ex-officio FOUNDATION STAFF Cathleen Sparrow Executive Director and ex-officio Bethany Kerley Donor Engagement, Grants & Events Manager Julie L. Kizer Ball Development Manager Canela Listz Administrative Assistant

Scan the code or visit aacpl.net/donate. Consider a monthly gift! Check the box and help provide supplies for over 6,700 programs per year.

Hands-on Fun at Broadneck Available to All Nancy Patterson and her grandchildren (Cal and Cora, shown left) love the Broadneck Library. Nancy generously donated to enhance the children’s area, funding a dollhouse, multicultural family dolls, animal and dinosaur sets and storage baskets. This gift fulfilled a long-time wish of the branch manager and brought immediate joy to children who now enjoy these new toys. Play is an important tenet of kindergarten readiness, a top priority for AACPL.

“This is such a joy to do — a drop in the bucket compared to the many joys the library provides for my family. Thanks for all you do every day!” — Nancy Patterson Nancy’s support, like every donation, makes a big difference for the Broadneck branch and all 16 library locations. AACPL looks forward to your child or grandchild finding their favorite toys in the Discovery Dock where literacy and learning go hand in hand. Interested in learning how your donation could impact the library? Development Manager Julie Kizer Ball, would be happy to talk about the best opportunity for you. Call 410-222-1199, or email jkizerball@aacpl.net .

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