FLACL NEWS
The Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries (FLACL) are be holding a $5 Bag Sale on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the lobby of Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos. The funds raised through the Bag Sale and the Friends Bookstore directly benefit our county’s libraries in many ways.
The Youth Services department, which creates and presents programs for ages 0-18 and intergenerational programming, is an annual beneficiary of Friends funding. In recent months, youth staff have added more Lego kits for building programs, materials to create ribbon bracelets for music programs, and more board games for both special programs and daily use within the library. Head of Youth Services Melissa Mackey said, “The money we get from the Friends enables us to get new and popular table top games, snacks for some programs, and some really wonderful toys for our regular community playdates. And of course the Friends funded the step prizes for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.”
This past summer, library youth services staff and volunteers planned and participated in a program titled “A Universe of Possibilities,” which was the Consolidated Summer Reading Program that many libraries across the country participate in. The libraries hosted 122 events that included May the Fourth Be with You, a performance by Clan Tynker Performers, Robotics Fun, Stuffie Sleepovers, Family Campouts in the library, and a Moon Landing Party to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Over 5,900 individuals of all ages participated in the 122 events held between May and September. Gaming+, a summer program at MPL in which middle and high school patrons play video games, board games, and make art was successful enough that library staff is continuing the program through the school year on Thursdays in The Zone from 3:30-5 pm. The Friends also fund the junior, minion, and teen volunteer programs, providing the money for treats, thank you gifts, and t-shirts for participating youth.
If you are interested in learning more about activities for our youth that take place in White Rock and Los Alamos go to www.losalamosnm.us/government/departments/community_services/library or Facebook page Los Alamos County Community Services Department to see what is happening at the library. Call the Youth Services desk at Mesa Public Library at 505-662-8258 if you have questions about any youth program at either library.
All these events plus so many others would not have been possible without the funding from Friends of LAC Libraries. When you donate to the Friends monetarily or with books or make purchases at the Friends Bookstore or the biannual Bag Sale, you are helping young people to engage socially and learn more about the world around them. You are helping families play, learn and read together. If you would like to learn more about FLACL, visit www.friends-lac-libraries.org or Facebook page Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries. FLACL is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1978.