Friends


Friends of the American Library Karlsruhe

Who We Are

When we heard in 1994 that the US Army was planning to close its bases in Karlsruhe, a small international group of civilian users of the Smiley Library formed The Friends of the American Library. Our goal was to keep the former army community library intact, to keep it in Karlsruhe, and to open it to the general public. Then German Foreign Minister and Karlsruhe Representative Dr. Klaus Kinkel agreed to become our Honorary Chairman. The Army donated the library to the City of Karlsruhe, and the City agreed to accept the gift on condition that the Friends raise the money for the annual acquisitions budget and provide volunteers to assist the paid, full-time librarian.

The American Library opened in November 1996 on a trial basis. Doubts that the Karlsruhe public would be interested in an English-language library began to disappear on the first day, when 1000 guests streamed to the opening and long lines formed at the registration desk.

Since that day the library has grown and thrived. With the proceeds of our Friends' membership dues and our semiannual Book and Bake Sales and through the initial support of The Robert Bosch Stiftung, the US Consulate General and other business and private donors, the Friends have met our goal of providing new books and other media worth many thousands of Euros every year. Thus the library is kept constantly up-to-date. Twenty-five volunteers from a number of different nations regularly assist the librarian at the check-out counter and in the office. In addition, the Friends organize conversation groups, readings and other cultural events. Since the opening, thousands of readers from Karlsruhe and beyond have registered for library cards.

The continuing goal of the Friends of the American Library is to support the library by means of:


 

  • volunteer work
  • purchasing books, media & furnishings
  • financing cultural events
  • providing publicity

 


Friends of the American Library Karlsruhe

How to Join the Friends

Membership forms are available at the check-out counter at the library or can be requested per phone from the library (0721/72752) - or you can download one here.

The annual membership fee of

   € 25.00 for adults
   € 37.50 for families
   € 12.50 for students
   € 50.00 for "legal entities" (firms, clubs, etc.)

is used exclusively for the support of the American Library.

The membership is valid for one calendar year ending on December 31st. Unless you tell us otherwise, your membership will be renewed automatically.

Please let the Friends know of address changes, bank account changes or email address changes. The Friends are not informed if you change your address in the city library computer system. You may do so by email or using the contact link below.

If you decide you no longer want to be in the Friends, please let us know in writing (email is fine).



Friends of the American Library Karlsruhe

Benefits of Membership

Included in your Friends membership is a library card valid for the entire Karlsruhe Public Library System.

Friends receive a mailing three times a year with news about the library as well as the occasional email reminder of upcoming events.

Friends have the right to vote at the annual meeting.

As a Friend, you will feel good about supporting such a fine institution!



Friends of the American Library Karlsruhe

How Can I Help the Friends?

Join the Friends of the American Library!

Become a library volunteer. If you are interested, please talk to one of the librarians, who best know where help is needed.

Donate books for our semiannual Book Sale.

Come to the library and check out books and media.

Tell your friends — or bring them to the library and show them around!


Friends of the American Library Karlsruhe

Book Donations

The Friends are very grateful for book donations!

Occasionally, the book is added to the library collection. Most donated items are offered for sale at the semiannual book sales. Proceeds from the Book Sale support the American Library.

If we cannot sell the book after a certain time, it either gets donated further or is recycled through the neighborhood-sponsored paper drive. The sorting and sale of your donations is done by volunteers; therefore, we would greatly appreciate your help in
pre-sorting books.

What to keep in mind:
-  The Friends gladly accept donations of gently used
books in English, which are no older than 5 years.

-  Novels must be in excellent condition.
-  Moldy or badly damaged books and books which have been written in cannot be used or sold. Please place these in your own Altpapier container, because ours is overflowing.
We no longer accept VHS tapes, magazines, DVDs and CDs, nor can we accept books in languages other than English.

-  Only one bagful, please!

-  If the librarians find that the book(s) do not meet the above criteria, you will need to take them home with you.

How to donate:
-  Donations are accepted any time of year during the regular opening hours of the library.

-  Please do not put book donations in the Book Drop or leave them in front of the library door.
-  If possible, please do not bring your books during the week before a book sale. However, if the book sale flyers have suddenly reminded you to bring your book donations to the library, that’s ok too.
-  Please call the library ahead of time if you have any questions (0721 7 27 52) and ask to speak to a librarian (Julia Arnold or Jenny Mayer); on Friday afternoon ask to speak to Claudia.

Once again, we really appreciate your donations!

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