On January 21, during a Washoe County Library Board of Trustees meeting, the Friends of the Washoe County Library (FWCL) presented the board with a check for $140,000, representing their 2014 year-end donation. The FWCL group is a huge supporter of the library system here in Washoe County and giving back to the community is important to them. The money donated each year comes from book sales; sales at Secondhand Prose, the library system’s used bookstore; and donations. The funds are divided among library programs, technology upgrades, books, and more throughout the year.
“Year after year the Friends of Washoe County Library System work tirelessly in support of a strong library system,” said Library Director Arnie Maurins. “This dynamic group of volunteers shows so much dedication from day to day and we are grateful to receive this donation.”
In 1991, the FWCL was able to allocate $4,000 to the library system, but in the 23 years since that first donation, more than $2.5 million has been given to programming, books, technology, and community outreach. Over the years, the money has been split among individual branches of the library, as well as earmarked for system-wide projects that benefit all branches. The 2014 money will be directed to purchasing new materials, upgrading old technology, and continuing to fund the free programming the library branches offer.
“We are truly happy that we can make this donation at this time,” said FWCL President Dan Erwine. “It is our mission to support the Washoe County Library System as they promote literacy and self-education.”
FWCL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with over 650 members, dedicated to advocating, fundraising and providing support for the Washoe County Library System. Its purpose is to ensure a first-class, free public library that will remain accessible to all Washoe County residents for generations to come. To learn more, please visit www.washoelibraryfriends.org.
