The Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center has counted on our Library for many years to collaborate on services and learning opportunities for San Juan islanders of all ages and demographics.

The JLSFRC has long partnered with our Library to provide high-quality early childhood programs that serve our youngest islanders, including weekly playgroups: the very popular “Trick-or-Book” event, our “Kindergarten Kick-Off” and enrollment in Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library” project.

Collaboration with the Library has enabled our agency to promote family reading and literacy-building programs such as “Prime Time Reading”, the innovative annual “Screen-Free Week” and “Community Read Aloud” events.

Our Library generously provides direct outreach to the JLSFRC’s Recovery Cafe, bringing information access and supportive community connections to islanders at a critical point in their recovery process. Library staff have also been valuable contributors to our Vulnerable Population’s Workgroup, which focuses on building local resources and services to meet the needs of homebound or medically vulnerable islanders. And, of course, the Library provides weekly technology assistance and hands-on help for those not so versed in cell phone and computer uses.

While the JLSFRC is a strong organization, so many of the above efforts simply wouldn’t happen if we couldn’t count on our partnership with SJI Library. The knowledge and expertise of library staff, their incredible array of resources and unwavering commitment to serving the entire spectrum of our community makes a very real difference. It truly would be a shame to see the diminishing or elimination of services if the Library is denied sustaining funds to continue serving our island.

Jennifer Armstrong, Executive Director, Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center

Gay Graham, Chair, Board of Directors, JLSFRC

Tillie Sherman, Vice-President, Board of Directors, JLSFRC