Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Fittante.
Karin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Friends of the Encinitas Library are currently celebrating their 45th Anniversary, so we’ve been around quite awhile! It was
founded with the following Mission:
To support the Encinitas Library as it strives to encourage literacy, lifelong learning and
the love of reading throughout our diverse community. To enhance the library’s resources, increase
the community’s access to information and knowledge, and provide a vibrant cultural gathering place.
The Friends of the Encinitas Library spearheaded the drive over 15 years ago to get a bigger, better library for our growing community.
In addition, the Friends…
Raised funds to purchase the Library’s automated book return check-in machine.
Provided funds to remodel the Teen Area, lobby and Children’s Area remodel.
Provides funds for the free to the public First Sunday Concerts, which occur on the First Sunday of every month.
Established an endowment fund in 2007 to help ensure an ongoing source of funding for library needs.
Raised funds for the purchase of a Steinway B grand piano for the library’s Community Room.
Provide additional funding for over 100 adult, teen and childrens’ programs offered monthly by the Encinitas Library.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I have not been part of the Friends for 45 years, I cannot attest to the difficulty. As far as I’m aware, FOEL (Friends of the Encinitas Library) have been fortunate with their fundraising endeavors from the outset, as the Encinitas Library is a very big part of the community.
One of the most difficult periods that FOEL has gone through since I’ve been a Director (and currently President) initially occurred during COVID, as we were not able to have fundraisers, meetings, or keep the Bookstore open, which is a substantial part of the funds that we raise. However, some enterprising members accelerated the FOEL presence on Amazon, and selling rare or high-end books from the Bookstore greatly helped maintain our yearly budget.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Please see the Mission statement of FOEL (Friends of the Encinitas Library), for our goals. I’ve been President of FOEL for a year, and what I’m most proud of is our service to the Encinitas Library and community. The Library does not receive enough funding to carry out everything that they would like to, and FOEL supplements their budget. Through the money that FOEL gives to the Library, they have been able to purchase a new book sorter, a Steinway piano, new furniture for the entire library, upgrade the children’s center, purchase computers, purchase hard books and digital books every month, provide money to have concerts, author events, senior programs, yoga, etc.
FOEL serves the library and community, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know the work we do is helping contribute to all of these areas at the Encinitas Library.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think a lot of people aren’t familiar with the Friends organizations (almost every library in San Diego has a Friends group, specifically to financially help support it). No one is paid, it’s all volunteer. On the FOEL Board, every one gives of their time, creativity, and ideas. We have a monthly meeting, an endowment that we manage yearly, and Committees that oversee different areas, such as communications, membership, events, etc.
Pricing:
- Membership – $20 Senior Individual
- Membership – $30 Individual
- Membership – $50 Family
- Membership – $100 Special Friend
- Membership – $500 Lifetime
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.encinitaslibfriends.org
- Instagram: @friendsofencinitaslibrary
