On March 7, library staff and volunteers made their first school visit for 2023 Read Across Lincoln. Each first grader at John Adams Academy received a copy of “Nigel and the Moon” by Antwan Eady, craft materials and library information to take home. The students were also treated to a reading of the book by the library’s own Tonie Jenkins. Additional schools will be visited during March and April. FOLL purchased 750 copies of “Nigel and the Moon” for this year’s Read Across Lincoln.

FOLL members give back by participating in the Lincoln Hills Foundation’s January Bingo at Orchard Creek Lodge. The Foundation is an avid supporter of the Lincoln Public Library and provides FOLL with funds for expanding the library’s collection of large print, audio books and more. Congratulations to FOLL’s bingo winners – Sharon Gorley and Tina Gray. 

We breaking the bank in 2023. Not really. FOLL plans to provide the library with $107,650 in 2023 for programs and services, including expansion of the library’s physical collection, online services and a book locker for the underserved Downtown Lincoln area. The full 2023 budget is available on the About the Friends page of our website.

At January Board meeting, newly elected Directors were sworn in for a two year term. Congratulations to returning Board members (from left to right) Teresa Lai Stanislaw, Gloria Pilotti Irey, Linda Derosier, Jeri Chase Ferris, Linda Morley, and Lynne Rossi (not pictured).

In December, the Lincoln Public Library will be providing library visitors with Jolabokaflod craft packets for children to enjoy at home. In Iceland, books are exchanged and then the families spend the rest of the night reading in bed, and eating chocolate. This Icelandic tradition certainly sounds like a perfect night to all bookworms! The packets included a children’s book, hot cocoa packet and corner bookmark craft. Pictured: Jordan Springs, library staff.

November at the library was all about dinosaurs! Younger children voted for their favorite dinosaur, received dinosaur toy figures, and free dinosaur-themed books. FOLL provided 100 new books for this event. Pictured: Alice Kinsey, Library Staff.

Attendees heard from Kathryn Hunt, Library Director, about how important Friends groups are to libraries, especially the Lincoln Public Library. FOLL Board members delivered presentations on FOLL’s financial status, 2023 proposed budget, impact on our community, volunteering, plans for the future and the new FOLL website. FOLL’s Secretary announced the results of the FOLL Board election and attendees had fun competing in a library trivia contest.

Thank you to all who came out on a chilly day to support FOLL and the library with your purchases of books, DVDs, music CD, jigsaw puzzles and more. Also, a huge THANKS to the volunteers who helped with the sale and the many volunteers who work behind the scene all year processing and sorting donations. Pictured (left to right): Volunteers Tina Gray, Linda Moran, Adrianne Barnard, and Cyndi Colloton.

Over 300 Star Wars and Marvel fans came to the library to meet Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Spiderman, Captain America and other Star War and Marvel characters. Children received free books, light sabers and a craft kit to take home. The support of the Friends is so important for this event. FOLL funds paid for the character actors, free books and craft supplies.

To encourage high school students to visit the library and read for fun, Lincoln Public Library held a Teen Free Book Day. Library staff handed out books to students at the Twelve Bridges library and at the Lincoln High School library while informing the students of upcoming library event for teens. FOLL provide 150 new young adult books for this event. Pictured: Tonie Jenkins, Lincoln Public Library staff.