Friends of the Library plans larger allocation, schedules five book sales

Kim Reist (transcribed elsewhere as Kim Reese), who identified herself as treasurer of the Friends of the Library nonprofit, told the board the volunteer group has increased fundraising and plans to nearly double its allocation to the library this year to help offset city budget reductions.

"We basically doubled our total anticipated allocations to the library to help some of the city budget pullback," Kim said during her report, and later estimated the funding gap at "around it's about an 8,000 or maybe 8,200 additional dollars" the Friends hope to raise through book sales, memberships and donations.

Kim outlined an expanded calendar of fundraising and outreach: a book sale on January 29, five planned sales in 2026 (including one Saturday sale and several Thursday sales), and early preparation for Amplify Austin fundraising in March. She also said the Friends are talking with neighboring groups (Hutto) and exploring partnerships with the independent bookstore Book Burrow.

Board members asked whether the board could volunteer for Friends activities and whether the Friends had pursued grant-writing; Kim said the group has done some grant work in the past (including with the Greater Austin Greening Coalition) and that membership and sales remain primary revenue sources. The Friends described their role as a nonvoting, advisory organization that raises funds and provides volunteers for library programs.

Kim invited board members to attend Friends meetings; the Friends' next meeting was announced for Tuesday, January 20 at 4 p.m.