An Exciting Season Begins

Dear Friends,

Our 2025 high season in Key West is about to kick off, and we couldn’t be more excited! We’ve planned a wonderful lineup of Monday night speakers beginning January 13 and running through March 17. These take place at 6 p.m. in the library’s Palm Garden. They are free to attend, and require no reservations. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss a single event. Information about the authors and dates are in the article below and details are on the website here.

Also, whoo hoo! Save the date for our 4th annual Gala, our main fundraiser, on February 3, featuring New York Times bestselling British crime fiction writer Ann Cleeves, whose books have been made into the three TV series that have been made from her books: Shetland, Vera, and The Long Call. Gala tickets will be available first for members in early December and are guaranteed to be snapped up right away!

We have a second special event planned with Ann for earlier that weekend as well. We’ll be holding a murder mystery at the library on February 1, based on a script Ann wrote from one of her Shetland books. There will be actors and a traditional tea, as well a chance for you to guess the culprit, to meet Ann and to purchase books! The murder mystery event will free and open to the public. More on that later.

If you or your business would like to be a sponsor for any of our events this year, you can find all the information on how to do so here. As a sponsor you receive recognition at events and become part of the wonderful community that supports the library’s collections and services.

We are proud to report that the Friends are also supporting two events for younger audiences, including one co-sponsored with the Key West Literary Seminar at the Key West High School and a book talk for high schoolers at the library with author Michael Ruhlman.

We invite you to visit the library and see the improvements that were funded by the Friends — two new stages, inside and out of the library, and a bike repair station, installed in front of the library. In addition, dozens of programs for children and adults have been funded by your donations. Thank you so much! We can’t wait to see you at the library!

Warmly,

Roberta Isleib, president