FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2019 CONTACT Farrell Howe Marketing and Communication Manager Kalamazoo Public Library 269-553-7879 Thanks a Million, Friends! Gently Used Books Generated More Than 1M for KPL Kalamazoo, MI – Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Since 1959, the Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library<http://www.kpl.gov/friends> has provided ongoing support to many KPL outreach programs and services through the sales of used books from the Friends Bookstore, membership dues, and gifts. “The Friends of the Library have for so long provided a great service to the Kalamazoo community by offering gently used materials at affordable prices,” said Kalamazoo Public Library Director Ryan Weiber. “The best part is that proceeds from their regular bag sales and bookstore sales go straight to funding library programming, collections, technology, and new ideas that benefit our patrons. We are so fortunate to have such an engaging and supportive Friends group at KPL!” During the Friends May board meeting, it was announced that since 1997, the Friends has raised and donated more than one million dollars to KPL! These donations have funded: * mini-grants for innovative KPL services * scholarships for KPL staff * community literacy programs such as the annual Summer Reading Challenge<http://www.kpl.gov/summer> and Reading Together<https://www.kpl.gov/reading-together/> * and much more! “When I realized that Friends has donated more than one million dollars to the library, I was honestly shocked but thrilled!” said recently retired Friends Director, Carol Manstrom. “My first thought was how many books sold does that represent? I was boggled by the complexities of figuring that out, but it’s a lot!” Carol continued, “That million dollars also represented untold hours of work put in by the Friends volunteers. I think a lot of Kalamazoo residents feel like I do, that we are so fortunate to have such a first public library! Our Friends group is made up of people that are willing to give their time and effort to support our library to help ensure the continuation of all great programs and services!” The Kalamazoo Public Library staff and trustees, and on behalf of the Kalamazoo community, we would like to take this opportunity to say, “Thanks a Million Friends!” Learn how you can support Kalamazoo Public Library through your purchases at the Friends Bookstore<https://www.kpl.gov/category/friends-of-kpl/bookstore/>, or becoming a Friends member<https://www.kpl.gov/category/friends-of-kpl/join-friends/>. ####