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Friends group donates more than $120,000; Sacramento Public Library reports 12% jump in summer reading and thousands of meals served
Summary
Friends of the Sacramento Public Library presented the board with a gift of more than $120,000 raised during the Big Day of Giving; library staff reported a 12% increase in summer reading participation, nearly 260,000 books read and more than 6,000 medals awarded this year.
The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library presented the authority board with a donation of more than $120,000 raised during the organization’s Big Day of Giving, and library staff reported a 12% increase in summer reading participation and expanded Lunch at the Library meal service.
Diane Gregory, treasurer of the McClatchy Friends and a Friends of the Sacramento Public Library board member, said, “the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library are able to give the Sacramento Public Library a gift of more than a $120,000 raised by people in Sacramento and far beyond.” The board accepted the presentation and members thanked volunteers and Friends groups for fundraising and event work.
Amanda Faulk, presenting the summer reading and Lunch at the Library update, highlighted program outcomes: “12%, not 5, not 10, but 12% increase in summer reading participation,” she said. Faulk told the board that nearly 260,000 books were read during the program this summer and that staff awarded more than 6,000 reader medals across ages. She also reported that thousands of meals were served through the Lunch at the Library program and shared anecdotal feedback from participants who said being welcome at lunches “made them feel like family.”
Faulk credited the increase to coordinated efforts among youth services staff, branch staff and community partners; she thanked youth services manager Christy Hamm and branch teams for their work. The board offered congratulatory remarks and asked staff to share slides and program materials with directors.
Friends volunteers also previewed upcoming affiliate events and sales, including a book sale and an antiquarian sale on October 19, and invited board members to volunteer and attend future fundraisers.
Why it matters: The Friends’ gift and the reported rise in summer reading participation underscore the role of volunteer affiliates and library programming in supporting early literacy and family services across the library system.
What’s next: Library staff said they will continue to publicize program metrics and event schedules; Friends leaders and board members encouraged continued volunteer engagement and collaboration on outreach and book distribution.
