The Friends of the Yolo Branch Library work with the Yolo Branch Library staff to enhance library services. Efforts include jointly discussing community needs, advising on strategies to meet those needs, raising funds to expand services, plus working together to implement these services.
Since 2014, some of our many accomplishments include: supporting Yolo Branch Library programs & activities, building community engagement by co-sponsoring the annual Spring Celebration for the youth in our rural communities, and maintaining Little Lending Libraries in Yolo, Zamora, and Dunnigan. In addition, the Friends sponsor a holiday gift wrapping program; and hold the annual Cruisin’ Into the Next Chapter Classic Car & Truck Show. We have recently expanded our outreach to Dunnigan, providing science and technology programs for children.
Furthermore, the Yolo Branch Friends actively participated in gathering input, through our community advisory board, in the development and design of our new Yolo Branch library and community meeting room. After years of planning and fundraising, the new Yolo Branch Library opened in December 2022.
With our new building and community room in place, we are expanding our book collections. The addition of a variety of community enrichment programs is enhancing the world view of our patrons, especially children. Community service organizations provide assistance with employment applications and resumes and are a benefit to the young adults we support. After school homework help is available weekly. Additional funding is needed to continue to support these activities.
The Friends of the Yolo Branch Library supports the Yolo Branch Library in its service to the communities of Dunnigan, Yolo, Zamora, and the surrounding rural areas. We work in concert with the library staff to understand the communities' needs, develop services to meet those needs, and build community engagement.
Educational Programs: Sponsor special fun learning programs presented at the Yolo Branch Library drawing from the talents of library staff, persons with specific expertise, and community members. These include interactive presentations designed to build knowledge in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), cultural events such as Dia de los Ninos, and summer reading activities. These special events expose patrons (particularly children and teens) to new information and spark curiosity while increasing the number of visitors and making them aware of the library's breadth of services.
Library Materials & Supplies: Provide supplies and materials for creative and educational activities at the Yolo Branch Library. This includes pencils, paper, crayons, materials for small craft and art projects to engage library visitors in exploring and learning. Each time a visitor is engaged in an activity at the library, it builds their connection to learning and the library as a source for their development.
Expanded Book Collection: Bring Spanish and English books and resource materials into the Yolo Branch Library to meet the needs of the communities of Dunnigan, Yolo, Zamora, and the surrounding rural areas. Each time a book is perused or checked out we have a success - curiosity is stimulated, knowledge is increased, and understanding is developed.
The Friends of the Yolo Branch Library are committed to achieving social equity by contributing to a society in which all community members can realize their full potential. We can help achieve true and sustained equity through an intentional, systemic and transformative library-community partnership. We are working to achieve equity in communities we serve by:
• Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect both in our policies, practices and in all aspects of our community role
• Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging all people in the community and helping them express their voice
• Serving as a facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address our community interests and needs
We believe libraries are trusted, enduring institutions, central to their communities. The Friends of the Yolo Branch Library, as collaborative partners, are essential participants in the movement for social equity.
Organization name
Friends of the Yolo Branch Library
2014
Tax id (EIN)
47-1353104
Mission Category
Education
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program
Demographics Served
Seniors, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, General population
Local Counties Served
Yolo
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
37750 Sacramento StreetOther
P O Box 344Zamora, CA, US, 95698
Yolo, CA, US
Dunnigan, CA, US