Bozeman Public Library Foundation and the Friends of Keene Memorial Library win United for Libraries’ Baker & Taylor Awards

EXTON, Pennsylvania — The Bozeman (Montana) Public Library Foundation and the Friends of Keene (Nebraska) Memorial Library have been recognized with United for Libraries’ Baker & Taylor Awards for outstanding efforts to support their library. Each group receives $1,000 and a clock from Baker & Taylor to honor their achievements. The groups were recognized at United for Libraries’ Gala Author Tea, sponsored by ReferenceUSA, at the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

In 2018, the Bozeman Public Library and its Library Foundation launched a new a civil discourse series, SymBozium, to engage the community in respectful and productive conversation around complex, controversial topics. SymBozium is a moderated forum discussion with subject matter experts and an opportunity for audience participation.

The inaugural SymBozium event was held on Oct. 23, 2018. The topic was “Fake News or Free Speech: Can Democracy Survive?” Due to the event’s success, Bozeman decided to make SymBozium a recurring program at the Library.

Upon receipt of a property donation, the Friends of Keene Memorial Library were prompted to jump-start funding for a library expansion project. The Friends’ community outreach to gain support for the project included reaching out to friends, relatives, and neighbors about supporting the library through Friends-funded activities and events. Their efforts paid off when the votes came in, revealing a large winning margin.  The bond issue passed, with just over $3 million available for the project.

This past year they also were responsible for partnering with a local drive-thru liquor store to create a drive-thru library. It worked out so well that it paid unexpected dividends to the Friends group. The drive-thru library will continue on as an extended program as long as the space is available.

Given annually since 2000, the Baker & Taylor Awards have recognized more than 45 groups for outstanding efforts to support their library. The two winning groups each receive $1,000. For more information about Baker & Taylor Awards, and a detailed description of the award-winning programs, visit www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/friends/bakertaylor.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit www.ala.org/united or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.