Notes from Friends: May 2026
April was a busy month for the Friends of SADL with so many spring activities happening! Our Spring Silent Auction was a huge hit with fourteen creative displays ready for Mother’s Day Gift giving. Thank you to all the helpers who assembled baskets, tote bags, painted birdhouses, a flowered wreath, pickleball set, golf package, garden themed gift collections. The lucky winning bidders can pick up and pay for their items the week of May 4. Proceeds from this event benefit your Shelby Library!
The 2nd annual Seed Library which started in March is proving very popular! Stop by the library today to check out free seeds. Plans are also underway for the Free Plant Giveaway and Garden Sale happening Saturday, May 30 from 8:30 am until 11:00 or until all items are gone. We need your donations of plants, seedlings, garden tools, yard art, pots, birdhouses, etc. to be dropped off the week of May 26 through 8:30 am May 30. This annual community event is a chance to try some new plants in your garden or pick up a few garden tools or pots. Monetary donations are appreciated on the day of the sale as all proceeds benefit the Friends of the Shelby Library!
At our quarterly meeting held April 16, the Friends passed newly revised bylaws, approved funding for 20 new padded chairs, 20 new board books for children, and a CD/DVD/Blue-Ray Repair Machine to keep those discs in tip-top shape. We also handed out yard signs for homeowners to show their appreciation for the Shelby Area District Library. The signs read, “IN THIS HOUSE, WE SUPPORT LIBRARIES.” Pick up yours today at the circulation desk. We ask that you keep your signs displayed at least through the summer and return to the library rather than discard them. We also elected Board Members and Officers to Friends of SADL to a 2 year term.
New to the Board is Patti Schlaudt. Stepping down from the Board, with much appreciation from Friends of SADL for her service, is Paula Inglis. Members of Friends of SADL participated in two gatherings with other library Friends during April, the Annual Meeting of Friends of Michigan Libraries (FOML) in Lansing, and the Walker Memorial Public Library in North Muskegon. Both events were a great opportunity to engage with other Friends groups, share ideas, discuss challenges facing libraries today, and meet like-minded people who love libraries! Find out more about Friends of Michigan Libraries at their website foml.org. Scroll through the “Friendeavors” section and you’ll see an article about our own Garden Sale.
Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate and Happy Spring to everyone who appreciates warmer weather!
Cindy McKinnon
President, Friends of SADL