About Friends
Our Mission
"The Mission of the Friends of the Virginia Beach Public Library is to promote the mission and services of the Virginia Beach Public Library through advocacy and financial and programming support, and to promote similar related activities."
Proud Sponsor of Virginia Beach Public Library Literacy Programs
Since 1976
Officers
Nancy Parker - President
Cheryl Gayton - Vice President
Vicki Devine - Secretary
Pam Levinson - Treasurer
Board Members
Judy Bandy
Jill Burr
Dr. Annette Davis
Bob Gilson
Judy Harbison
Mary Jane Morewitz
Talbott Jordan
Barbara Wycoff
Kimberly Knight - Library Director
$109,500 Program Grant Funding for 2022-2023
Family Summer Reading Programs, Story Walk, Battle of the Books, Drone Programming,
Early Literacy Kits, Teen Support, Staff Scholarship, Support for the Visually Challenged
Any Many More
What We Do
We raise funds to support programs that are created and maintained by library staff for which funding might not otherwise be available. Here is a list and a bit of description of those programs.Summer Reading Challenge
- This program encourages children, teens and adults to read for fun during the summer. We had 16,954 participants in our most recent Summer Reading Challenge.
Battle of the Books
- This program is designed to expand an interest in literacy and reading for pleasure. Fifth graders from Virginia Beach are invited to assemble teams of five students to compete in a game-show styled competition. The subject matter from ten selected books is the basis of the questions posed to the contestants.
Teen Support
- The library provides services to teens that foster developmental assets of young adults and in order to strengthen their social and emotional competencies, including relationship skills, responsible decision-making, self and social awareness and self-management so that teens can become well-rounded and resilient adults and develop a commitment to the library and to lifelong learning
Adult Services
- Master Gardener programs, book club support, crafting supplies, Seeing Beyond Group for the blind
- Small business seminars
- Service Awards and Recognitions for full-time, part-time and contract personnel for time in services with the Library
- Financial literacy seminars
Strawberry Festival Outreach
- This grant funds materials and supplies to engage festival goers in the mission of the libraries, including recreational and educational opportunities at the library.
Early Elementary Educational Coding Programs
- This grant helps support computer coding education beginning in kindergarten.
Burgeon Early Literacy Center Panels
- These panels encourage explorative play and family engagement for the youngest customers of our libraries.
Youth Support
- This grant provides funding for LIVEArt programming which focuses on history, art techniques, introductory music classes and historical movements through craft. Purchasing Sensory Programming materials are part of this grant.