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Library Link: Adopting a book in 2020

To say 2020 has been unprecedented is a severe understatement. No person, no family, no business and no organization has gone untouched by the effects of COVID-19.
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Airdrie Public Library's Adopt-a-Book fundraiser is a great way to blend literacy and gift-giving. Photo submitted/For Airdrie City View

To say 2020 has been unprecedented is a severe understatement.

No person, no family, no business and no organization has gone untouched by the effects of COVID-19.

Our communities have suffered the loss of loved ones, the complete disruption of daily life and the financial impact of the pandemic on our pocketbooks like no other time in recent memory.

Which makes it a little awkward to write a column about a fundraiser.

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 mortar services and staff payroll, but everything else at APL comes from the generous support of local businesses, collaboration with other social agencies, various grants and the amazing generosity of the citizens of Airdrie.

One of the ways we see this support is through the annual Adopt-a-Book fundraiser. We call this the perfect way to blend the importance of reading with gift-giving, and this year it’s more important than ever.

With so many people working from home or unemployed because of the virus, free access to literacy and literacy-based services has never been more important.

Last year’s fundraiser resulted in the adoption of 190 books, totalling more than $4,400.

This year, we have two ways to adopt a book. Stop by the library, choose from our colourful display of brand-new children’s readers, board books, picture books, junior fiction, adult fiction and non-fiction. The adopter’s name, the name of someone they wish to honour or a special dedication is placed on a nameplate in the book, and the adopter can be the first to sign it out when the book becomes available for pick-up.

Or, just visit our website, fill in the form, choose a title and adopt away.

This year’s Adopt-a-Book runs from Nov. 16 to Dec. 20.

For more information on any of APL’s programs and services, visit airdriepubliclibrary.ca, call 403-948-0600 or drop by to get your FREE library card.

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