For The People Newsletter Vol. XXXVI
For everyone working to strengthen and expand public libraries
Library Services: A Year in Review
Since 1988, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has collected data from all US public library systems in an annual survey. The publicly available dataset includes a wide range of information about library staff, collections, and services. Using this data, we’ve created a series of graphics that show how states measure up on key issues: library use, collection units, funding, and more. Click here to see all of the slides in this interactive dataset.
Later this year, we hope to release more data like this, getting down to the local level and examining metrics like how library resources compare to police budgets. If you’d like to help with this, please let us know!
🗓️ Register for FTP Friends & Foundations Network Open House
Strengthen and protect your library by getting involved with a Friends of the Library or Foundation group! FTP is launching a Friends and Foundations Network to help folks get involved in these local organizations. Register to learn more at our Open House, February 19th 6:30-8:00pm ET!
Great Falls Public Library Foundation fundraiser: Cigar Box Art Auction!
In December 2025, under our arts-org moniker Electric City Creative, my husband Tyson and I hosted the second Cigar Box Art Auction, this year benefitting Great Falls Public Library Foundation. Each year, proceeds from the auction are donated to a regional cause that feels particularly urgent. Last year, we raised funds for the Montana Racial Equity Project. This year, after our city council voted to cut library funding, it felt important to support the library in whatever ways we could. As ECC, we’ve organized all sorts of events over the past 15 years—concerts with touring musicians, with local bands, literary events, drag shows, etc.—and we’ve often incorporated a charitable element. Because we personally do not have a lot of cash to spend, we use our events skills towards raising a higher dollar amount than we could ever give on our own.
Tyson works at a coffee shop where he also sells cigars and schedules the monthly art displays. Since so many boxes accumulate from those cigar shipments, combining these elements felt natural. We gave local artists their pick of cigar boxes, and they were free to decorate or reimagine them however they wished. This year we had eleven artists, including ourselves, with over half participating for the second time. Among the work, we saw everything from paintings to mosaics to a working lamp made out of the box and a guitar neck.
One week before our auction party, we displayed the cigar boxes with bid sheets at Luna Coffee. Bidders did not have to be present to win, so we asked for names and contact info (email or phone). Bids started at $30, with winnings split equally between the artist and the library (some artists donated their share). We promoted the event in various places online, but didn’t spend any money on promo.
At the party, held the same evening as our city’s Christmas Stroll, we had a local singer-songwriter play some tunes, and patrons could make their final bids before we announced winners. Every box received more than the minimum bid, and in the end, we raised $700.
Sara Habein
Great Falls, Montana
FTP loves to hear from folks around the country about their experiences with their public library systems. Thanks to Sara Habein for sharing this month. Please reach out to us at forthepeoplelibraries@gmail.com if you would like to share a reflection in our newsletter.
Local Library of the month!
This month’s local library is Sandwich Library! Written by Juli Vayneri
As a parent to a young child, our library has been an incredibly important resource and refuge for us. It has fostered our son’s love of books and learning. It has been a warm, dry, safe place to play, learn and explore when weather has kept us from other activities. The events for kids of all ages and stages of development have been incredible- from storytime to puppet shows and art projects, and he has benefited from learning with librarians and guests with different diverse perspectives, as well as connecting with other families and similarly aged children in the community. Our library is a beloved gem that we are forever grateful for.
We want to feature your local library in our newsletter! Thanks to Juli Vayneris for writing in this month. Send us a photo and 100 words about what your library means to you and your community.
🏛️ Library Land Updates
Here’s a roundup of interesting reading and listening material that we think you’ll appreciate. Sometimes articles may be paywalled. In other news, sometimes it’s nice to use tools like Archive.today or the Wayback Machine.
A 200-year-old book distributor is closing. Here’s what that means for public libraries by Alina Edwards, Andrew Limbong for NPR
High costs? Budget cuts? Even more reason to protect public libraries. by Aaron Brown for The Minnesota Star Tribune
Proposed legislation would prohibit book banning in New Mexico public libraries by Leah Romero for The Tri-City Record
Zines: Librarians with Palestine
Abington Library has offered a safe space for LGBTQ+ kids for years. It’s now the subject of a far-right social media campaign. by Fallon Roth for The Philadelphia Inquirer
Proposed legislation would prohibit book banning in New Mexico public libraries by Leah Romero for Source NM
Bad Library Bills, 2026 Edition: State-Level Legislation of Concern • Buttondown by Kelly Jensen
The Library Changemaker: Amanda Jones — Future Hindsight [podcast]
Dallas City Council halts proposal to close four neighborhood libraries - CBS Texas by Marissa Armas
N.J. librarians protest the closing of Jon Bon Jovi’s charity restaurant by Eric Conklin, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Massachusetts librarians advocate for $1M increase in public library aid by Madison Schofield for Athol Daily News
Rural Utah libraries could lose essential funding in the latest federal budget by Mark Richardson for UPR
Senate passes Boswell’s bill altering public library board appointment process - The Owensboro Times by Ryan Richardson
📢 Take Action
Sign NYC Public Library Action Network’s letter to the NYC City Council to increase library funding.
Share Your Story with Governor Lujan Grisham to Protect the Freedom to Read in New Mexico.
Feb 7 | Take Your Child to the Library Day - https://takeyourchildtothelibrary.org/
New Hampshire House Passes SB33 - Another Book Ban Bill. Help ensure that Governor Ayotte will step up again to support the Constitution, the self-determination of school districts across the state, and the right of every parent to make decisions with their own children.
🎟️ Upcoming Events of Interest
🗓️Apps open | Feb 2 | Olympia, WA | Olympia Zine Fest application for exhibitors open
🗓️Deadline | Feb 8 | Miami, FL | Miami Zine Fair application for exhibitors
🗓️Deadline | Feb 9 | Black Zine Fair Application for exhibitors and volunteers.
📚Feb 10 | Minneapolis, MN | 10 am – 4 pm | Twin Cities Zine Fest at the Hennepin County Library
🗓️Deadline | Feb 15 | Spokane, WA | Spokane Zine Fest applications close for exhibitors
🗓️Deadline | Feb 15 | Omaha, NE | 2026 Omaha Zine Fair applications for exhibitors
🗓️Deadline | Feb 16 | Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Art Book Fair application for exhibitors close
🗓️🏛️Feb 19 | For The People’s Friends and Foundations Network open house. Register here.
📚Feb 21 | St. Pete, FL | 11 am – 3 pm | St. Pete Zine Fest at at the West St. Petersburg Community Library at St. Petersburg College-Gibbs campus.
🗓️Deadline | Feb 28 | Montclair, NJ | Montclair Zine Fest application for exhibitors
📚Feb 28 | Portland, OR | AZN Zine Fest at Fubonn Shopping Center
Thanks for having me!