“Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!” The Summer Reading Program, Read to the Rhythm, at the Austin Public Library is well underway. There are summer reading clubs for children, teens and adults. You, the residents of Austin and the citizens of Mower County have provided these wonderful activities — Open Art Hours, Wake Up and Wiggle, Free Family Yoga, Author David LaRochelle and Illustrator Mike Wohnoutk, the Rad Zoo, Mad Science of Minnesota, and Jim Jayes, Magician and Puppeteer.

The Used Book Sale in May raised over $5,000 to finance these enriching programs. Your generosity in donating gently used books and media and buying during the spring sale provided these funds. You also financed scholarships to Riverland through this sale. Our thanks to co-chairs Peggy Keener, Friends of the Library; Joyce Goetz and Laura Tjomsland, AAUW. The money was equally divided between the Friends for library programs and AAUW for Riverland scholarships. We also want to thank the many volunteers who set up the books and worked at the sale. Kaye and Maye Schultz and Bev Smith organized the children’s sale room. The Austin Daily Herald, KAUS, KTTC, and KIMT promoted the sale. Special thanks to Hy-Vee and Jim’s Marketplace for putting notices in grocery bags. We look forward to seeing the Austin Community at the Austin ArtWorks Festival on August 22 and 23 at our author presentations.

Mark your calendar for the fall used book sale the second weekend in October, and our Barnes and Noble Christmas Sale in December. Your continued support for library programs will be guaranteed by becoming members of the Friends of the Library for $10 per family. Being a member allows you early access to our fall sale before the general public. Membership forms are available at the library desk.

In Gratitude,

The Friends of the Library

The American Association of University Women

Dorothy Krob, publicity chairperson