Buckeye Public Library issued the following announcement on Oct. 31.

The Arizona Library Association recently awarded the Friends of the Buckeye Public Library with the Volunteer of the Year award. It’s easy to see why the won based on their accomplishments over the past few years.

Until about four years ago, Friends had just three active volunteers. Today, membership has over 40 members and the group has raised more than $117,000. Approximately $94,000 of this was reinvested back into the library system in various ways.

These efforts include selling books, setting up special library programs and events, being a reader for storytime, volunteering more than 12,000 hours of time in all aspects of library operations. They even flipped burgers to raise money for the Summer Reading Program.

Each member of the Friends of the Buckeye Public Library can be credited with inspiring, engaging and connecting Buckeye residents on the important role libraries play in our lives. A few of their major accomplishments include:

Purchasing a wrap for the “Roadrunner” Bookmobile, which provides books and educational information to residents beyond the library’s doors

“Music in the Stacks” program with musicians singing and sharing stories

Summer Reading Program special performances throughout the city, including weekly recreation camp performances for youth during the summer months

Youth Entrepreneurial Outreach Program allows students to pitch products and services to local business owners

Public art inside the Downtown Library that serves as a fundraiser and also celebrates family legacies

These programs that were once goals for library staff are now reality thanks to the Friends of the Buckeye Library. Their dedication, passion and efforts makes the Buckeye Public Library System a great place for families to learn, play and grow.

To learn more about the Friends program, please visit buckeyeaz.gov/friendsofthelibrary.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Buckeye Public Library