What a Month It Was, Friends!

We have been vibrating with excitement following the hugely successful Friends of the Key West Library 2024 Gala this year. Judy Blume and Pat Scales, who have been in the trenches fighting book banning for decades, gave an inspiring talk. My takeaway was simple: we all need to be in this fight against censorship together. 

After the discussion, we adjourned to the library’s gorgeous Palm Garden for a celebratory party. I’m extremely grateful for the many people who worked so hard to produce this event. We are particularly grateful to Judy and Pat for agreeing to be our guest speakers, and for our super librarians, Kim Rinaldi and Michael Nelson, for working so hard to support us.

The much lauded event was made possible by the evening’s sponsors: Preferred Properties; Tom and Kitty Clements; Joan Vandervelde; Publix Super Markets; The Mansion by the Sea; Truman & Co.; The First State Bank; Christine Bassett & Carey Alexander; Wendy & Roger Fisher; John & Carolyn Sangston; Century 21, All Keys; Manley deBoer; Royal Furniture; and droneandphoto.com. Because of their generosity, we have been able to donate an extra $20,000 to the library for special projects.