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BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania — The Friends of the Shelby (Michigan) Area District Library and the Friends of the Ravenna (Nebraska) Library have been recognized with United for Libraries’ Baker & Taylor Awards for outstanding efforts to support their libraries. Each group receives $1,000 and a plaque from Baker & Taylor to honor their achievements.

Last year, The Friends of the Shelby Area District Library hosted their biggest and most successful fundraiser yet. Their 23rd annual Celebration of the Trees and Holiday Bazaar, held from Nov. 30 through Dec. 3, raised a record amount library. The event surpassed its previous years both in funds raised and participation, with a record number of 63 entries in the four-day silent auction. The event brings together families, school groups, artists, and crafters for a celebration that unites the community in support of the library.

The Friends of the Ravenna Library held 19 programs total to benefit its community in 2017, many of which contributed to funds raised for the city of Ravenna’s project to build a brand-new library facility. The new facility will be three times the size of the previous one at 7,600 sq. ft., providing ample space for the library’s annual programs and activities.

In addition, the Friends of the Stirling Road Branch Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Friends of the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Conn., earned honorable mentions for their efforts to support their libraries. The Friends of the Stirling Road Branch Library collaborated with the staff of the library to develop the STEAM Project, an effort to promote science, technology, engineering, art, and math to female, Latin, Native-American, African-American, and Caribbean populations within the service area of the Stirling Road branch. The Friends of the Ferguson Library’s Literary Pub Crawl saw a major increase in community involvement in its third year, including talent from local schools, theaters, restaurants and musical groups, which helped raise both funding and interest for the library.

Given annually since 2000, the Baker & Taylor Awards have recognized more than 45 groups for outstanding efforts to support their library. The two winning groups each receive $1,000. For more information about Baker & Taylor Awards, and a detailed description of the award-winning programs, visit .

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, 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.