Coming off one of their most successful years, the Friends of the Sun City Libraries board is gearing up to celebrate another milestone.

The Maricopa County Library District took over operation of the Sun City Library in 2009 and that 10-year milestone was celebrated last year. The organization is preparing a special event later this spring to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the library district taking the Fairway Library into its fold.

“It’s a smaller library and they took it over later, but it is still an important part of the library system in Sun City,” said Sue Blechl, Friends board president.

She was elected president for the second time in less than six months during the board’s February meeting. She stepped in on a temporary basis in December when Marcia Davis had to leave the board the previous month because its bylaws allow board members to serve only six consecutive years. In addition to Ms. Blechl, Friends of the Sun City Library officers elected last month were Cathy Weyers, vice president; Pat Bates, secretary; and Jessica Potter Slider, treasurer.

The board will next meet 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12 in the meeting room at the Sun City branch library, 16828 N. 99th Ave.

The 10-year anniversary for the Sun City branch library was Aug. 12, 2019. It included refreshments, face painting, balloons, flowers, posters and a variety of programs. While plans are not finalized for the Fairway celebration, similar activities are planned, according to Ms. Blechl. Friends of the Sun City Library hopes to duplicate the fun atmosphere from last year’s event.

“I loved this event!” said Andreonia Garlis, professional face painter, following the 2019 celebration, as quoted in the organization’s annual report produced by Ms. Davis. “Sun City senior citizens had more fun and were more excited with the face painting and balloons than many of the children who attend my children’s programs.”

Friends of the Sun City Library was originally known as the Sun City Library and operated the two facilities prior to 2009. It continues to support library programs and needs. The group built a strong board and stable of volunteers over the years. Part of the reason for the six-year board term limit is to keep the panel fresh and exciting, according to Ms. Davis. But that does not mean retiring board members are far from the organization.

“Lest anyone think that we lose the valuable experience of our board members who reach their term limit, fear not,” Ms. Davis wrote in the annual report. “Most past board members continue to serve the Friends in other valuable capacities.”

Tom Everitt, a past president, produces a monthly newsletter, and Mary Anne McDonald, another past president, is the Books Around the Corner manager. Past board members Carol Hager, Camilla Kuberka, Kathy Shawl and Sue Painter volunteer in the bookstore, and Ms. Davis will continue to serve as webmaster. The Friends operates Books Around the Corner, a used book store, in a space at the Sun City branch library. The store provides a steady source of funding for the group to supplement donations and bequests it receives.

Sales at the store continue to increase. Store revenues increased in 2019 for the fifth consecutive year, according to Ms. Davis. Gross sales for 2019 were $49,596, an 8% increase over 2018 sales.

Store volunteers stock the shelves with donated items, including books, CDs, DVDs and other items. Donations were coming so fast and furious that earlier this year the storage area was so full because volunteers could not keep up with the influx of items. For a short period no large donation of items were accepted, according to Mr. Everitt. But volunteers were able to get all inventory shelved and are again accepting donations of all sizes, he added.