The Bag Lady Returns

Remember last year when we raffled off some really cool bags full of books to raise money for the Young Adult Advisory Panel? Well, we're doing it again! Mucho excitement. This year we have five different bag themes - Young Adult, Summer Beach Reads, Children, Fairy Tale, and (of course) Twilight. You can view more information about all the bags here.

For those of you curious as to how the money that is raised will be spent, I'll give you a run down of what the YAAP did with last year's earnings. First, they bought the "big" prizes for the Summer Reading Program (LCD TV and mall gift certificates). The idea was that cool prizes would encourage more people to participate...and they were right! We had almost double the number of summer reading participants in last year's YA Summer Reading Program. Next, they purchased prizes for the End of Summer Mega Event (Twilight Carnival). The Twilight Carnival ended up attracting 75 teenagers, by far the largest number of participants we have ever had at a YA event. For some attendees it was their first exposure to the library and YA services. After that they had some money left over, which I allowed them to use however they saw fit. Their decision was to give back to the community (since it has done so much for them), and sponsor a child in need at Christmas.

So, that's where the money goes. I think it's a worthy cause. Not to mention, those bags are wicked cool. Next time you're at the library be sure and have a $1 handy. Tickets are on sale at all three branches of the Marshall County Public Library and through the members of the YAAP. Not in the Marshall County area? Mail me a check and I'll put your name in the drawing! (I'll even mail your bag to you should you win.)