The saying “It takes a community to raise a child” is unquestionably true, but it could also be applied to public libraries.
Airdrie Public Library (APL) is a board-run, non-profit society, funded through the local tax base, with additional funding at the regional library system level, and through a provincial library operating grant.
This funding provides brick and mortal services, and staff payroll, but everything else at APL, such as our collection of nearly 80,000 items, and all the nuts, bolts, and widgets required to meet the literacy needs of our community, come from the generous support of local businesses, collaboration with other social agencies, various grants, and from the amazing generosity of the citizens of Airdrie.
One of the ways we see this generosity is through APL fundraisers, such as the annual Adopt-a-Book campaign; the perfect way to blend the importance of reading with gift giving.
Last year’s event, which continued to give Airdronians the opportunity to browse for a book from our colourful library display or online through our website, saw 181 titles adopted for a total of $4,322
This year’s event will follow the same format, allowing participants to browse selections online or in the facility, both avenues offering a fantastic choice of brand-new children’s readers, board books, picture books, junior fiction, adult fiction, and nonfiction.
The adopter’s name, the name of someone they wish to honour, or a special dedication is placed on a name plate in the book, and the adopter can be the first to sign it out when the book becomes available for pick up.
And because the books you adopt become part of APL’s collection, they literally become the gift that keeps on giving, reader after reader.
So, it really does take a community to raise a library.
This year’s Adopt-a-Book runs from Nov. 27 to Dec. 23.
For more information on this fundraiser, visit airdriepubliclibrary.ca.
