Our Story
It’s been nearly 50 years since a group of Amador County residents got together to form the Friends of the Amador County Library. As the group’s early by-laws state, the association’s purpose was “to maintain an association of persons interested in books, and in libraries; to focus public attention on library services, programs, facilities and needs; and to stimulate gifts of book, magazines, desirable collections, endowments and bequests.”
The organization’s history underscores its success in achieving those goals. But the goals have evolved over the years, and today’s FACL finds itself serving primarily a fund-raising function, brought about by the tight fiscal constraints at both the local and state levels. As the budgets have shrunk, the library’s role has continued to expand and its reliance on the support of the Friends has increased.
Today the Amador County Library and its four branches work hand in hand with the Friends to serve library patrons throughout the county.
Friends of the Amador County Library is 100% volunteer run.
Community Connections
FACL partners with organizations across Amador County to promote literacy by providing materials and co-sponsoring community programs. Please contact us if your organization or business has an idea for working with us. Note that we are not seeking new vendors of any product or service.
American Legion
American Legion Post #108 generously donates the use of their hall for our book sales and special events. FACL donates books on military subjects to them for their museum.
Nonprofit Thrift Stores
FACL donates books to nonprofit thrift stores throughout Amador County.
Interfaith Food Bank
FACL donates books to the Food Bank to give out to their patrons.
Amador County Jail
FACL has adopted the library at the Amador County Jail. The library is heavily used and FACL donates mass market paperback books there 4-6 times a year.
Little Free Libraries
Amador County has about 34 Little Free Libraries and counting. Learn more about LFLs in this April 2021 Ledger-Dispatch story. Stewards are welcome to contact us for book donations to make sure their LFL shelves are full.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
FACL partners with First 5 Amador to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free program available to all children from birth to age 5 who reside in Amador County. Created by Parton in 1996, the program mails a new, age-appropriate book every month to registered children from birth until their fifth birthday – at no cost to the family, regardless of income. Every child in a family can have their own Imagination Library. Over 1,000 children in Amador County receive books on a monthly basis. Registration brochures are available at the Amador County Library branches and at playgroups and community events. Parents also can register online at www.imaginationlibrary.com.
Our Leadership
Friends of the Amador County Library board meetings are scheduled every month on the 3rd Wednesday (except December). All FACL members and their guests are welcome to attend these meetings. Contact us for location and time information.
If you are a FACL member who is interested in taking a leadership role in this organization, we would like to talk with you. Please complete the form on our Get Involved page or call us at 209-217-1911. Thank you!
2023-24 Officers
Rick Sprenkel, President
Bonnie Toy, Vice President
Frances Headley, Secretary
Tina Clark, Treasurer
Directors
JoAnn Chevrette
Elizabeth Ison
Dana Jorgensen
Mary O’Neal
Amador County Librarian
Kathryn Olson, MLIS
209-223-6400
kolson@amadorgov.org
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