Friends of South County Regional Library Inc. is a community-based, volunteer organization founded in 2004 and is tax exempt under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our vision is to advance the role of South County Regional Library as an institution vital to the life of the community. In line with this, our mission is to raise awareness of South County Regional Library as a cultural and educational asset in the community by enhancing programming and services through development of supplemental financial resources. Our Activities At present, the group has 215 members and conducts various fundraising programs during the year in support of our mission as follows: 3 book sales annually, a continuous in-house book sale of hard cover and paperback books as well as DVDs and CDs just inside the entrance to the Library known as “First Dibs”, fundraising luncheons with well-known authors as speakers, and the continuous sale of our “Friends Book Bag”. Our Library South County Regional Library is a 32,000 sq.ft. facility located in Estero. The Library was established in August of 1996 and serves south Lee County – south Fort Myers, San Carlos, Estero, and Bonita Springs (there is a smaller branch library in Bonita, too). Circulation at South County Regional Library in 2006 was 404,000 books, DVDs, CDs and other items with over 29,000 registered users. There is a large cadre of seasonal visitors who patronize this library extensively, especially for access to the internet, book discussion groups and the many programs available at the Library. Our Accomplishments Through April 2007, the group has donated $21,000 in programming, equipment, furnishings, supplies and services to South County Library since inception. In addition, we have a $20,160 short term investment (CD) ear-marked for contributions of furnishings etc. for an anticipated 8000 sq.ft. expansion of the Library. We are especially proud to have received the following awards from the Florida State Library Association, in April 2007: Friends Newsletter of the Year for the State of Florida Honorable Mention for Friends Project of the Year for our Friends Website Honorable Mention for Friends Program of the Year for the 10th Anniversary of South County Library Celebration sponsored by the Friends Our Shared Values To appreciate and recognize the efforts of our members. To present ourselves in a positive and professional manner to the community through excellent quality programs, projects and public relations. To be vigorous in striving for supplemental monetary support for the Library through memberships, gifts, grants, bequests and other fundraising efforts. To promote, through diligent advocacy, the purpose and needs of the Library to the community and government leaders.

Our Library South County Regional Library Fact Sheet Directions Our Officers President Claire Hauenstein email Vice-President Cas Obie email Treasurer Gretchen Schmidt Asst. Treasurer Steve Shandor Secretary Dorothea Meldner Director at large Carolyn Piscitello Director at large Steve Shandor Director at large Jimmy Eichbauer Director at large Renee Maxwell SCRL Regional Manager Beth Nagengast Our Documents By-Laws Articles of Incorporation