Community support is helping the Foley Community Library expand its programs, strengthen staffing and provide more educational opportunities for residents.
The Foley City Council recently accepted several donations and grants totaling $17,000 to support library operations and educational initiatives.
The Friends of the Library contributed $7,000 to fund a temporary position to provide additional staffing on Saturdays.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich praised the organization for its continued dedication to the library.
“We very much appreciate the Friends of the Library,” Hellmich said. “They are an outstanding, cooperative group and they’re very proud of the library. We are very proud of it too and we appreciate everything that they do.”
The Friends of the Library is a group of Foley-area residents who support library activities through efforts such as the annual Book Sale and operation of the library’s Bookstore.
Library Director Kate Norris said an additional $5,000 donation from a local resident will also help fund part-time staffing. The City Council approved using the contribution for that purpose.
The donations come as the Foley Community Library continues to expand its services following the August opening of its new 40,000-square-foot facility on East Orange Avenue. The building offers approximately twice the space of the former library.
Hellmich commended Norris and library staff for their work in expanding programs and services at the new facility.
“She did a fantastic job telling them about our library,” Hellmich said, referring to a recent presentation Norris gave to local residents. “It wasn’t just about the facility. It’s about the programs. The programs that they have are amazing that they have there. We have a great opportunity here with everything that they’re doing.”
The City Council also accepted a $5,000 Dollar General Youth Literacy grant to support the library’s STEAM Lab, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
In addition, the Alabama Humanities Alliance will reimburse the library for expenses associated with a presentation at the facility.
“We booked a presenter. We signed a contract with them, and they will reimburse us for it,” Norris said.
Together, the contributions will help the library continue building on the opportunities available to Foley residents through its expanded facility, educational resources and community programming.