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EXTON, Pennsylvania — United for Libraries will host the webinar “Engaging Library Supporters During the COVID-19 Pandemic” on Wednesday, April 1 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Featured presenters will be Sarah Charleton, Membership Director of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles; Charity Tyler, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and Jonna Ward, CEO of the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Kristi Pearson, CEO of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library, will moderate. Registration is open and free to all.

Is your Library Foundation or Friends of the Library looking to stay engaged with your supporters and community while navigating the many challenges of COVID-19? Learn tips and advice from directors of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Hear about “stay home and read” fundraisers from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Find out how to participate in Library Giving Day on April 23, and how to shift your strategies due to COVID-19.

Registration is open and free to all regardless of United for Libraries membership. Register for the webinar at . Can’t join live? Register anyway and you will receive a link to the recording.

Sarah Charleton is the Membership Director for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, where she also manages coordinated giving campaigns, including the annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball© fundraiser. She previously helped produce the Library Foundation’s award-winning ALOUD author series for more than seven years. She leads regular art and architecture tours as a Docent for Los Angeles’ historic Central Library, and serves as President for the Los Angeles chapter of the National Emerging Museum Professionals network.

Charity Tyler was named Executive Director for the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation in 2015. She has led the transition from capital to annual giving focus, creating policies and improving governance structures to support a renewed planned giving effort while launching a new Foundation-funded program: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She currently serves on the board of United for Libraries.

Jonna Ward joined the Seattle Public Library Foundation in 2001 and is the CEO. During her leadership, the Foundation has grown to be the largest public library foundation in the country based on assets under management. She is the co-founder of the International Public Library Fundraising Conference and creator of the #LibraryGivingDay concept.

Kristi Pearson is CEO of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. After serving four years on that organization’s s board of directors, she transitioned into her current role in 2014. She brings a passion for libraries and two decades of experience to her role leading the organization. Previously at AchieveMpls, Kristi led the development team through a transformative, multimillion-dollar fundraising effort. She currently serves on the board of United for Libraries.

, is a division of the 91´«Ã½ with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.