Friends of Yuma County Libraries, Inc.

The Friends joyfully advocate, volunteer and fundraise for Yuma County Public Libraries.

We are a group of people who support the Library. We focus attention on library services, facilities and needs; and stimulate gifts of books, audiovisual materials, desirable collections, endowments and bequests. We raise money through book and snack sales in our bookstore located in the Main library and at bookcarts in the Heritage, Somerton and San Luis Branches. For the past several years, we have given $15,000 annually to the Library for programs and events.

Every July, we partner with the Library at a Back to School Rodeo. It is a community event for children and their parents. All children, preschool - high school, who have a Library card, receive a free, new book of their choosing. Those without a card, are given an application to fill out and return to the Library. They also receive a book at the event. In 2016, we gave away almost 1000 books to children. Every year our numbers of giveaways increase, along with library card holders.

We also underwrite three of the Library's biggest programs, the Summer Reading Program for Families, Comic Con and the Teddy Bear Picnic.

As a Friends group, we've had the opportunity to bring nationally recognized authors to Yuma. Sandra Day O'Connor, Diana Gabaldon, and JA Jance are just a few. We are active partners in One Book Yuma, a community read program. The 2017 selection is The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson, author of the popular Longmire series of books and Netflix series.

In 2016, we revised staff scholarships, to encourage staff to obtain their MLS degrees. Those are awarded annually for $1000 each. We also fund staff enrichment and appreciation events, along with Employee of the Year and Month awards. Knowing how important volunteers are to the Library and our group, we're happy to honor them annually too with dinners and awards.