Friends of KPL

Thanks a Million, Friends!

Gently Used Books Generated More Than 1M for KPL

2026 KPL Scholarship and Mini-Grant Awards
Sponsored by Friends of KPL

Congratulations to the following KPL staff who received awards this year!

Scholarships ($1000 Each)
    • Cecilia Roehm, Oshtemo
    • Ellie Seelye, Central
    • Robbie Gildea, Central
    • Mason Blechner, Central — Snell Family Scholarship
Mini-Grants
    • Amanda Stover, Oshtemo: $1000 for learning-to-read books that focus on letter sounds.
    • Lacey Andrews and Theo Gill, Oshtemo: $1000 for a small collection of Yoto Mini Players and audiobooks for circulation to allow young children to listen to stories independently.
    • Becky Mitchell, Central: $300 for sensory kits for the Teen Room.
    • Brian Rocha, Central: $1000 for a 3D scanner for the KPL Idea Lab.
    • Jill Lansky, Central: $1000 for books for families to read to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit to allow those babies to hear spoken words as early in life as possible.
    • Laura Bultman, Central: $900 for sewing machine accessories and supplies so children can sew reusable cloth book or shopping bags at the library, with the bags to be provided for free to patrons or community members.

Since 1959, the Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library has provided ongoing support to many KPL outreach programs and services through the sales of used books from the Friends Bookstore, membership dues, and gifts.

“The Friends of the Library have for so long provided a great service to the Kalamazoo community by offering gently used materials at affordable prices,” said former Kalamazoo Public Library Director Ryan Weiber. “The best part is that proceeds from their regular bag sales and bookstore sales go straight to funding library programming, collections, technology, and new ideas that benefit our patrons. We are so fortunate to have such an engaging and supportive Friends group at KPL!”

During the Friends May board meeting, it was announced that since 1997, the Friends has raised and donated more than one million dollars to KPL! These donations have funded:

“When I realized that Friends has donated more than one million dollars to the library, I was honestly shocked but thrilled!” said retired Friends Director, Carol Manstrom. “My first thought was how many books sold does that represent? I was boggled by the complexities of figuring that out, but it’s a lot!”

Carol continued, “That million dollars also represents untold hours of work put in by the Friends volunteers. I think a lot of Kalamazoo residents feel like I do, that we are so fortunate to have such a fine public library! Our Friends group is made up of people that are willing to give their time and effort to support our library to help ensure the continuation of all great programs and services!”

The Kalamazoo Public Library staff and trustees, and on behalf of the Kalamazoo community, we would like to take this opportunity to say, “Thanks a Million Friends!”

Learn how you can support Kalamazoo Public Library through your purchases at the Friends Bookstore, or becoming a Friends member.