Friends donate $50,000 to public library system

KNOXVILLE - Friends of the Knox County Public Library completed 50 years of service to the Knox County Public Library (KCPL) and to the community on September 29, 2020. In honor of this anniversary, today at Lawson McGhee Library, Friends will present a donation* of $50,000 for KCPL to Myretta Black, KCPL director, to fund the increase and enhancement of library e-materials. Mayor Glenn Jacobs, whose office oversees KCPL and who is a staunch advocate of reading and literacy, is scheduled to attend.



The use of library e-materials has been increasing steadily over the years but has climbed dramatically during the current pandemic. John Williams, president of the Friends, remarked, “This donation will provide much-needed support to the collection, including increasing the number of titles available to patrons and decreasing wait times.” He also noted, “This donation is possible thanks in great part to the Knoxville community that gave generously during our Summer 2020 fundraiser to ensure Friends could continue our mission of support and advocacy for the Library during this time. We are so pleased to be able to honor the spirit of their giving by donating these funds to the Library’s most current need.”

While print books and physical materials remain very popular, downloadable e-books and audiobooks are the Knox County Public Library's fastest-growing collection. Earlier this year, when the Library’s doors were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, cardholders turned to the e-media collection in unprecedented numbers. During that time, the Library issued digital access cards and continued to provide library service online to the community. Since March 21, 2020, patrons have borrowed more than 422,000 e-books and audiobooks; since January 2015, more than 2.8 million titles have circulated.



*This donation is pending approval by the Knox County Commission.

Friends of the Knox County Public Library is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a love of libraries, books, and reading in the Knox County area by community outreach, advocacy, and support of the Knox County Public Library system and staff. The Friends raise funds to sponsor programs, represent the interests of Knox County library patrons, and support a variety of services not covered by the Library’s official budget.

For more information about Friends, please visit knoxfriends.org.

Published September 30, 2020