Friends of the Hennepin County Library

Library support: as the Library's nonprofit fundraising partner, fhcl builds Library awareness and appreciation through compelling storytelling and raises significant financial resources for Library strategic priorities, including workforce development, community outreach, youth development and the world class collection. Together, we envision a Hennepin County where Library services ensure that every person has the opportunity and resources to read, graduate, engage, work and learn.

Public awareness and donor engagement: talk of the stacks is a free author lecture series produced by Friends with guest authors who focus on contemporary literature and culture across an array of social, economic and global topics. the 2023 season included four in-person events, that also offered a virtual livestream option, and one virtual-only program. In total, 629 people attended in-person events, 1,195 households attended virtual programs and 1,683 accessed on-demand recordings throughout the year at no cost. In addition to these programs, three author/book club panel events were produced with 185 people attending in-person, 484 households attending virtually, and another 454 attendees viewing the on-demand recording thereafter. (continued on schedule o)finally, two Library art gallery reception events were attended by 222 guests. Further public awareness pieces on behalf of the Library system: 4,800 printed event guides were distributed to audience members at the four in-person pen pals events and four in-person talk of the stacks events, and 1,737 attendees accessed virtual event guides. More than 26,305 print newsletters were distributed. 80+ email communications were sent to 26,139 e-news subscribers. Social media followers (facebook, instagram, twitter, linkedin) grew to 12,679 subscribers, and fhcl website access grew to 128,996 visitors.

Pen pals: pen pals is the highly acclaimed, longest running literary series in the twin cities featuring award-winning, best-selling authors who speak on their life and work as writers. This author lecture series generates income supporting the organization's mission. Thirty volunteers assisted staff at four in-person events, contributing 244 hours to the program. In 2023, 4,100 people attended in-person events, and 3,413 households attended virtual livestream programs or on-demand recordings.