The Carlyle Public Library is looking forward to a couple of upcoming fundraisers.
The first is its annual high tea and bake sale, which will take place May 18 from 2-4 p.m. at the library. The second will be a hamburger sale on June 7, generously facilitated by Southern Plains Co-op.
Why does a library needs to fundraise. Doesn’t the government pay for that? The simple answer is that the provincial government budgets a certain amount of money to the library system but it is nowhere near enough to cover the cost of a multitude of activities that are happening at libraries everywhere every week.
Recent events at the Carlyle branch have included sewing ribbon skirts (sewing machines were purchased for this), decorating eggs and making ceramic chickens. As the slogan says, it’s “not the library you remember”.
In order to fund these activities, the librarian regularly applies for grants from public and corporate donors, specifying the purpose and use of the grant. Grant money received must only be used for the purposes outlined in the applications. Therefore, in order to be able to pay for other items and events as they pop up, the library must depend on the generous support of the community.
At the high tea and bake sale, supporters will be able to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with a variety of tasty baked goods. Wear a fancy hat and dress to the nines if you feel like it. There will be several raffle baskets to buy tickets on and delicious goodies to purchase and take home.
The library welcomes donations of baking for the sale and, of course, any cash donations will be gratefully received. (Larger cash donations to the library can be made at any time at the town office, which issues tax deductible receipts.)
