Category: Friends News
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Usage Statistics Quantify Library’s Pivotal Role to Community
It would be hard to overestimate how important our little pink library is to the community of Key West — but the numbers make that case quantifiable. In our January newsletter, Senior Librarian Kim Rinaldi reported on Key West Branch usage for the year 2024, numbers which bear repeating because they are so impressive. In…
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At the Library — March 2025
Monroe County Public Library Launches New Website The Key West Library is thrilled to announce the launch of our completely redesigned Monroe County Public Library at keyslibraries.org. This site offers user-friendly access to library materials, online resources, and programs. Highlights: · A completely re-designed homepage that helps you find what you’re looking for more easily.…
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In Memorium
We sadly note the passing of long-time Friends supporter and board member Prudence Churchill this month. Prue was president of the Friends board from 2004 to 2008. She also served as a board member both before and after her presidency, over a span of more than 15 years. She had a deep love for the…
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Bethany Pyle Recognized at CFFK Unsung Hero Luncheon on February 7
“Not all heroes wear capes,” read the program at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys Unsung Hero 25th annual luncheon, which recognized the service of volunteers. At the event, held at the Key West Beachside Resort on February 7, volunteer Bethany Pyle was recognized from the Friends of the Key West Library. Bethany spends…
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A Gala Night to Remember with Ann Cleeves
With mystery writer Ann Cleeves as guest speaker and honoree, the Friends of the Library’s fourth annual Gala, held on February 3, was a glittering success. The evening began with Ann greeting her audience for the talk portion of the evening at the library’s entrance. In answer to Friends president Roberta Isleib’s interview questions, Ann…
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Bannocks and Blood Murder MysteryTea Delights Guests
The Friends of the Key West Library hosted an afternoon of witness statements and forensic reports on February 1 in Bannocks and Blood. The play was written specially for libraries by Friends honored Gala guest, the mystery writer Ann Cleeves. Bannocks and Blood is based on Ann Cleeves’s novel Cold Earth, which was part of…
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January Speakers Draw Key West Literati
On January 13, under the twinkling lights of the library’s Palm Garden, Ayana Mathis read from her most recent prize-winning book The Unsettled about a mother fighting for her sanity and survival in 1980s Philadelphia. A forceful and articulate speaker, Mathis explored using the “under story” and how this process informs character development as well as…
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In Memorium
In January the Friends of the Key West Library lost two of their own — volunteer Shirlee Ezmirly and corporate sponsor Michael Halpern. A wonderful person and loyal volunteer, Shirlee Ezmirly helped with the book sales and with shelving library books. When she was no longer able to do that work, she attended the book…
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At the Library — February 2025
Kim Rinaldi, Senior Branch Manager It’s not a secret that librarians love statistics. We count everything, from the number of times our books are checked out to the number of people who walk through our doors every day. Here are some stats from 2024 that we are especially proud of at the Key West Library.…
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Message from the President
The Season Begins! Dear Friends, It’s January, and as Sherlock Holmes is alleged to have said, “the game’s afoot!” Hopefully you are recharged and ready to dive into our 2025 programs. Here’s what one of our members wrote when she realized she had not received the December newsletter: “Please email this information to me as…