(Stillwater, OK) – The Stillwater Public Library is introducing a new annual Valentine’s Day celebration for community members who love reading and the library. The “Library Lovers Readathon” features locals reading aloud the book passages they love. The event takes place on Friday, Feb. 14, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Stonecloud, located at 917 S. Husband, and is a free-entry fundraiser for the Stillwater Public Library Trust suitable for all ages.
“We are very excited to have friends, neighbors and even a local author joining us to celebrate reading and libraries,” said Stacy DeLano, library director. “Jenny Mae Harms from KOSU is MC-ing the event, and while our guests read, attendees can support those readers’ courage and reading expertise by donating to the Trust.”
According to DeLano, the library’s Trust has been active since fundraising began to build the Duck Street library. Distributions from these earnings are used to support services and materials that the library cannot fund through its operating budget and grants. In the past decade, funds have gone toward refreshing aging book collections, investing in brand new media types such as read-alongs and purchasing community-wide reading series books to distribute to participants.
“Our goal is to raise enough funds that our annual distributions from interest allow us to complete game-changing projects,” DeLano said. “Some examples include revamping our meeting rooms to give users access to the latest meeting technology, building dedicated silent spaces in the main library and supporting a year-round after-school reading tutoring program. Growth of the Trust will help us accomplish these goals and strengthen literacy and library services in Stillwater.”
The “Library Lovers Readathon” includes eight local readers from the community.
“We have business owners and library board members, a married couple reading in tandem and people who just love reading, books and the library,” said Library Board member Robin Cornwell. “We are incredibly grateful to have readers brave enough to get up and perform on behalf of the library. After hearing the selections, we think the readings will be both meaningful and fun for those who attend.”
Entrance to the event is free. Tables at Stonecloud will display QR codes linking participants to the Trust’s PayPal website where they can privately make donations to the Trust in support of their favorite readers. Gifts to the Trust are typically tax-deductible, though donors should consult a professional for definitive advice. Donations may be made before the event at stillwaterok.gov/LibraryDonate or by sending a check to the library’s Business Office at 1107 S. Duck, Stillwater, OK 74074. Please note the name of the reader the donation is supporting.
Attendees can also support the Trust by purchasing books from Casual Scene Books which will hold a small book sale at the event. A portion of sale proceeds benefits the Trust.
“We are expecting to have a fun evening that pulls the reading community together. We hope other readers throughout Stillwater will join us,” DeLano said.
For more information, follow the library on Facebook or Instagram at @StillwaterOKLib where readers and their reading selections will be introduced beginning this week.