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 Our Friends group currently has 234 members and conducts a variety of fundraising activities in support of our mission. These include 3 book sales each year, our continuous in-house book sale of hard cover and paperback books, CD’s, DVD’s as well as puzzles. We hold 3 “Meet the Author” luncheons at a local venue with well-known authors and we continue to sell our distinctive chartreuse Friends Book Bags. 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 2007 our Friends group has raised $56,980 from the sale of gently used books. We have donated $27,063 in program funding, equipment, furnishings, supplies and services to South County Regional Library since our inception in 2004. We also have a short term investment (CD) valued at $25,215 at yearend 2007 which is earmarked for a significant project for the library some time in the future. We are especially proud to have received the following awards during 2008: Florida Library Association – Newsletter of the Year for the second year in a row Florida Library Association – Honorable Mention for the Book Sale Project Friends of Libraries USA – Honorable Mention – Newsletter We are listed for the first time this year in Gulfshore Life’s Charity Register for 2008 – a listing of 307 worthy causes. 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   Verified by Guidestar.org