Our Mission
The Friends of the Anoka County Library raises funds for and increases awareness of the Anoka County Library (ACL) in its mission to connect the community to ideas, information, and inspiration.
Our History
In April 2003, local library supporters joined together to create Friends of the Anoka County Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit all-volunteer organization governed by a board of directors. Their vision to advocate for and support public library services provided in Anoka County has carried on to this day.
Serving as ambassadors for the ACL, Friends table at local community events, such as St. Francis Pioneer Days, Fridley 49er Days, Blaine Worldfest, Trunk or Treat, and back-to-school backpack giveaway events. They advocate passionately about the books and resources, beyond the pages, that ACL provides. Through collaboration, ACL programs and collections of free resources have been strengthened and expanded, making them more readily available to support our surrounding communities.
Funds once raised only by the annual membership drive have expanded to triannual book sales, where gently used overstock from the libraries’ own shelves find new homes. Autumn 2026 will see the second annual gala: “An Evening With Friends & Authors.”
Many programs Friends are proud to sponsor and volunteer/participate in include:
- Summer Reading Program is able to provide a new book to participating children thanks to Friends. The program has even begun to award adult participation by giving coupons for a free book, redeemable at any Friends of the Anoka County Library book sale.
- Book Club-in-a-Bag collection for discussing a shared reading experience.
- Park Packs for exploring the outdoors of Anoka County.
- Reading Bridge supports struggling younger readers, and Friends not only sponsor the program, some volunteer as mentors.
- Read Local Author Fair has Friends there to greet authors and attendees alike.
With the donations and attendance of you and your neighbors, local authors and businesses, we hope to see yet another year of fantastic fundraising! From 2023–26, Friends have been able to donate $20,000+ directly to the Anoka County Library.
Board Members
Betsy Friesen — President (2021-present)
Board member since 2021.
KeriAnn Hollerud — Vice-President (2023–present)
Board member since 2023.
Claire Walter-Marchetti — Secretary (2026-present)
Board member since 2026.
Jackie LaTour — Treasurer (2025-present)
Board member since 2025.
Molly Bauer — Director (2026-present)
Board member since 2026.
Kaylee Dockter — Director (2026-present)
Board member since 2026.
Kelly Foltmer — Director (2026-present)
Board member since 2026.
Angie Homan — Director (2026-present)
Board member since 2026.
Amanda Lefaive — Director (2026-present)
Board member since 2026.
Partners
We are proud to partner with the Anoka County Library system, serving communities across Anoka County.
Contact Us
Have questions or want to get involved? Reach us at [email protected].