Author David Adams Richards joins Friends of the Fredericton Public Library for unique fundraising event October 19.
Matt Carter
The Friends of the Fredericton Public Library are hosting an evening of drinks, nibbles, stories, poetry and music on October 19 in support of the library’s collection and its wide range of public programming.
With support from local businesses Graystone Brewing, 11th Mile and Chess Piece Café, as well as a host of local talent including the evening’s MC Vanessa Vander Valk, Fredericton Cultural Laureate Ian LeTourneau, local musician Evan Leblanc and award-winning writer David Adams Richards, Library After Dark has the makings of a truly memorable evening.
“We are truly honoured to welcome our headliner, David Adams Richards,” said Library Director Julia Stewart. “His ability to mesmerize audiences with his wonderful prose is pure magic and we can hardly wait to see it all unfold.”
The Friends of the Fredericton Public Library is a group of volunteers dedicated to raising funds for, and awareness of, the Fredericton public libraries. Fundraising initiatives include silent auctions, the annual Adopt-A-Book campaign and the Downtown branch in-house book sale. Through their various fundraising initiatives, Friends of the Fredericton Public Library have helped raise over $14,000 in additional funds to support library collections and programming in 2017.
“Our 2017/2018 statistics show that our libraries are community connectors, essential places for people in need, welcoming centres for Newcomers and gathering spaces for people of all ages,” said Stewart. “33,811 Frederictonians have library cards and that’s about 40% of the city’s population. Our visitors use computers, ask questions, discuss ideas, read books and connect with each other. Our programs are free to attend and we offer public access to the internet, databases and other resources all free to use by simply signing up for a free library card. It truly is the best place in the world!”
In addition to the evening’s entertainment, attendees of Library After Dark will also be invited to buy books in as part of the Book Bonanza.
“25 gently used hard cover books will be carted out and sold for $20 each,” said Stewart. “Hidden within one of the books is a golden bookmark. The person who purchases the book with the golden bookmark will take home an authentic, registered Little Free Library, lovingly built by Fredericton’s own Paul O’Connell.”
Tickets for Library After Dark are $65 and available online at eventbrite.ca
“We are so excited about this event and we hope to see it continue year after year and become a signature event in Fredericton.”
Library After Dark | Fredericton Public Library – 12 Carleton Street | October 19 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
