08/21/2026
The Ainsworth Library Foundation Board held its regular quarterly meeting on August 19th at the Ainsworth Public Library. Dana Sears was announced as the new board member replacing past member William Lentz.
The Gift Transaction List from May to August 2026 was presented. Gifts were received in the memory of Mr. Rodney Shelton from Mrs. Kendra Osterman, Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Sylvester, Mrs. Ann Anderson, Mrs. Diana Sheton, family and friends, Mrs. and Mrs. Marvin Shields, Mrs. Lexa Ludemann, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Wilkins, Mrs. Beverly Cook, Mr. and Mrs. William Kurzenburger, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gann, Mr. and Mrs. David Brhel, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Muck, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Joseph, and Mr. Michael Schrad. The Foundation also received funds to purchase a book in memory of Mrs. Beverly McBride Dodds from Mr. and Mrs. Mike Baxter. Mr. and Mrs. John Gross gave a memorial in the name of Mrs. Laura Hughes. Funds were also received from Mrs. Elizabeth Berkland in memory of Mrs. Cynthia Smith to help with the cost of our Build a Best Friend event. The Board voiced their appreciation for each and every gift to the library.
It was noted that the new drinking fountain would be installed soon. Updates were given on the following events that the foundation helped with this summer such as the Toby Kid Mesozoic Adventure Program and the USA 250th birthday celebration with USA Flag Finder Contest, Patriotic Coloring Contest, and the Great American Wild Build A Best Friend (Bison/Eagle).
We sold 46 of the 50 animals taking in $450. The Niobrara Park Ranger’s held a Bison Program before the making of the friends with around 70 people in attendance. It was noted that Traci Booth would be doing an online birthday donation promotion to raise funds for the Brown County Dolly Parton Imagination Library starting on 8-19-26. Her goal is to raise $500. The upcoming Fall Library Crawl will be held September, October, and November. This year, the crawl will include all of the library systems in Nebraska so there will be more libraries to visit than last year. Booklets and stickers will be mailed out soon. Prizes will be drawn like last year.
The Library Director shared information on library events and happenings at the library this summer such as the Summer Reading Program in June, the Park Rangers Programs on Tuesday in July, and the River Art Show in July. Coming up will be the Nebraska Art Guild State Travel Art Show in September, the restart of Book Club and Storytime. Our library is part of the Libraries with a Heart program. We will be holding a Community Heart Day on September 15th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. We now have two totes that can be checked out with a blood pressure monitor and other heart information.
Discussion was held on fundraising. The Board would like to do the Christmas House Tours every other year. The board discussed possible purchases they could make for the library. The board approved the purchase of a new book cart for the library and to install new light fixtures in the rest rooms.
Election of officers was held. It was approved to keep the same officers as the past year ( Marsha Fuchs- President; Traci Booth-Secretary, and Wendy Allen-Treasurer). The Vice-President position will be voted on at the next meeting.
The next meeting date was set for November 18th at 5:30 p.m.
