Anne McKee often shared some of the experiences of the early years of the Friends of the Key West Library. She was, in fact, the organization’s first president and led the fledging young Friends in many efforts to support our little pink library, even purchasing comfortable chairs when they were needed. She continued her passionate support over the years for the Friends. Up to her death last year at 100 years old, she was an avid reader, often plowing through as many as two books each week.    

McKee’s family is supporting her legacy in providing a gift of $10,000 from the Anne and Ross McKee Charitable Fund in celebration of the 50-plus years of the Friends of the Key West Library. This gift will be targeted to help the Florida History Room in digitizing fragile items that are difficult to handle and to protect items that are irreplaceable. The goal is to give writers and researchers access to these abundant primary documents. 

Historical detective Friends board member Betty Darst, pictured above at center, researched the 50 years of the Friends of the Library for the organization’s anniversary celebration and is continuing to explore the stories of the people who have made Key West so vibrant. Darst is surrounded by, left to right, the Florida History Room’s Lead Historian Dr. Corey Malcom and Archivist Breana Sowers, as well as Assistant Director of Libraries Michael Nelson and Friends board member Demaris Edwards.