City Council Meeting To Commemorate Completion of Library Round-Up Drive
LB Community Comes Together To Help Fifth District Public Libraries
(LONG BEACH, CA; May 22, 2012) – Today at 5 pm, at the City of Long Beach Council Chambers, Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske will present to City Council the results from this year’s “Library Round Up” Drive. The agenda will specifically highlight the participation of local businesses within the 5th District that contributed to the fundraising event.
“We are happy to announce that this year's Library Round Up has netted a total of $1,056.77, “said Councilwoman Schipske. “Local businesses have generously participated in placing Library Round Up “spare change” boxes at the front of their establishments, so that their patrons can donate money for the replenishment of much needed books and materials for both the El Dorado and Ruth Bach Libraries.”
Joining Councilwoman Schipske at the City Council meeting will be Jo Rae Zuckerman, President of the Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries, who will receive the money on behalf of both the Ruth Bach and El Dorado Libraries.
“The Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries deeply appreciates Councilwoman Schipske's continued support for Libraries in Long Beach”, says Zuckerman. “Her 3rd annual Library Round-Up offers opportunities for district residents to make monetary donations at local businesses, and provides Bach & El Dorado Neighborhood libraries with some out-of-budget funds. Both of the head librarians, Miss Jennie Vaughn and Nancy Paradise, look forward to the benefits of this discretionary money each year.”
Friends of the Long Beach Public Libraries is a non-profit organization designed to replenish vital reading materials, and support for summer reading programs for both children and adults. Established in 1962, the organization is responsible for giving the collected monetary donations to the librarians at both the El Dorado and Ruth Bach libraries. Prior funds collected have enabled the branches to replenish a western paperback collection.
Throughout the last two months, Fifth Council District businesses have joined efforts to invite their customers to donate spare change in “Library Round-Up Boxes”.
This year’s campaign has seen a commitment of 12 businesses including Bodell’s Shoes, Cirivello’s Sports Bar, Curves on East Wardlow Road, Farmer’s Insurance, Fast Frame, Go Dogs Go, Kidz Head 2 Toe Resale Boutique, Once Read Books, El Dorado Restaurant, Poochie’s Bath House, Postal Annex and Apostrophe Books. As well, Library Round-Up boxes were also located at three library branches in Long Beach - El Dorado, Ruth Bach and the Dana Neighborhood Library.
Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, an advocate and tremendous supporter of public libraries, spearheaded the campaign back in 2007 to supplement the dwindling budget for books and materials for the El Dorado and Ruth Bach branches. As well, she continues to vote against budget cuts to the Public Library School system, and continues to come up with creative ways to involve the community to help in the preservation of the public library system.