Time to Renew Your Membership

Happy December, Friends!

Recently I read an interesting article in the New York Times about the rise of “healing fiction,” that is cozy, whimsical novels often featuring magical cats. These books have exploded into blockbusters, providing comfort and hope during chaotic times—we certainly live in those. But we who are members of the Friends of the Key West Library already know what books can do—heal, inspire, inform, take us away to new places, and more. That is why we’re so grateful for our Key West Library!

This is a crucial time for our Friends organization as we gear up for the membership renewals that will fund our donation to the library. In the current political climate, supporting our library is more critical than ever. The Friends of the Key West Library are devoted to playing an ongoing role at 700 Fleming Street. As Kim Rinaldi, our Key West branch manager, has said: “Our library would be bereft without its Friends. Your programming is always a command performance for followers of the library, and your support of us has allowed us to turn wish lists into realities.”

Each year, our Key West friends’ group makes significant donations to the Key West library to enhance programming, collections, and much, much more. Every dollar of our membership dues goes to the library. Last year we were able to donate $70,000. We could not do this without your contributions! If you are already a member of the Friends, now’s the time to renew. If possible, we’d love to have you consider raising your membership level this year. You can renew your membership here.

(If you would like more information about how to renew using our new membership management system, see the article below.)

Read on for all the exciting events we have planned for the season this year! On December 7, watch for an email announcing that tickets for our February 3 gala featuring bestselling British crime writer Ann Cleeves are on sale. If you are reading this and not yet a member of the Friends, join now to get early access to the gala tickets, and a reduced price. You can join here.

If you or your business would like to consider sponsoring one or more of the Friends events this year, we welcome your interest. You can find more information about that opportunity here.

With warmest wishes,

Roberta Isleib, President