NEWSLETTER

BOOKISH

August 2025

Table of Contents

Board President's Message
Kit Kopec, President, Friends of the Library
Janet Saiers, Chairperson, Library Advisory Board (LAB)
Librarian Named to Time's List of 100 Most Influential Creators
New Mexico United APLF Fundraiser
Know Your Library Support Groups
Smith's Inspiring Donations

Hello Library and Book Lovers!

It’s been a hot summer. But luckily, the Public Library of Albuquerque and Bernaillo County offered many great ways to beat the heat in June and July.

But even though the kids are back in school, the fun isn’t over, and there are still classes available for adults, too. Story Time for kids, Read to the Dogs®, book clubs, STEM and STEAM programs, concerts, movies, and much more are happening around the city.

You can find the full schedule of events on the library website. The September – December printed Event Guide will soon be available at your local branch as well. Be sure to pick one up.

Did you know that your donations to the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation (APLF) help pay for the printed Event Guide? It’s important to APLF that our community is aware of all our Library has to offer. And don’t be afraid to venture to a new branch to check out a “new to you” program as well. Each of our library branches offers unique experiences tailored to each neighborhood. What a great way to learn about different communities in our own city, through the library!

In our last edition of BOOKISH, I provided you with introductory information about the other support groups, Friends of the Public Library and the Library Advisory Board. This month, you get to hear from their leaders in the interviews below. It’s been wonderful working with them, and I look forward to a continued partnership to support our libraries.

As always, I appreciate you, our library community. Stay cool out there!

Eryka McKenzie

President, APLF Board of Directors

Please welcome Kit Kopec! New President

of Friends of the Public Library

Hello, library land! Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about myself and the Friends of the Albuquerque Public Library.

I’m Kit Kopec, the recently elected President of the Friends. I moved to Albuquerque in 2022 from Chicago with my wife, Ann, and our chihuahua-papillon, Minnie. We added our beloved senior kitty, Chevy, to our family in 2023 courtesy of the city’s Eastside Shelter.

I currently work as a consultant with the American Library Association, primarily in the publishing department. Previously, I was employed directly by ALA as an Operations Manager, and before that, I managed Girls Rock! Chicago.

I’ve also worked in public health policy and housing advocacy, and I hold a Master’s of Science in Cultural Foundations of Education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

And another warm welcome to Janet Saiers -

Chairperson of the Library Advisory Board (LAB)

The Library Advisory Board is a 15 member all-volunteer advisory board appointed by the Albuquerque City Council & Bernalillo County Commission.

Nine members reside in and represent a specific Council district, two are at-large city residents, and four are at-large Bernalillo County residents.

As chairperson, I lead the formal meetings. More importantly, I encourage each LAB members to use their individual interests and skills along with network of friends, family, and colleagues to gather information about the Library system.

By ordinance, the Board is to "encourage the greatest use of library facilities & programs," be informed of library needs, be a "forum for discussion," and recommend policies for facility development and financing to the Mayor, City Council, and County Commission.

Input from community members on any topic or program is always welcome and can be sent by contacting: Kate Alderete, Library Director.

Librarian Named to Time’s List

of 100 Most Influential Creators

By Phil Morehart JULY 9, 2025

American Library Association

Congratulations to librarian Mychal Threets for being named to the Time100 Creators: Most Influential Digital Voices list for 2025, Time’s inaugural celebration of the digital creators who have emerged to shape our culture. “They are changing what we watch, how we spend our time, what we buy, and how we vote,” says the magazine.

Threets, a recipient of the American Library Association’s I Love My Librarian Award in 2024, has found well-deserved fame as “the internet’s librarian.”

Attention Library & Soccer Fans! More tickets now available!

APLF has partnered with New Mexico United for a library fundraiser on September 13, 2025. Each ticket purchased via our special ticket link donates $5 to APLF.

This means you get to attend a soccer game with your family, a group of friends, or co-workers for team building and support your local library!

Additional details are on the attached flyer. Feel free to print the flyer and pass it around. We hope to see you there!

Know Your Library Support Groups

The Albuquerque Public Library Foundation raises money to enrich Library programs, services and facilities not covered by public funding.

Our vision is to support the pursuit of knowledge, community life, and limitless learning

opportunities for everyone.

Donate to APLF

The Friends of the Public Library raises money to fund educational and literacy programs along with other community activities.

Join the Friends of the Public Library to stay informed and get discounts at their bookstore and book sales.

Join the Friends

The Library Advisory Board serves as a liaison between the community and its City and County government.

Stay informed of all the Library Advisory Board activities and priorities through their newsletter.

Join LAB Mailing List

Smith’s Inspiring Donations will donate 0.5% of all eligible spending to APLF that customers have linked to their Rewards Card.

This no-cost program makes donating easy based on the shopping you do every day.Once you link your Rewards Card to APLF @ CW809, all you have to do is keep shopping at Smith’s and swipe your Shopper’s Card.

APLF raises funds to enrich Library programs, services

and facilities not covered by public funding

throughout Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

APLF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization;

all gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

ContactUs@abqlibraryfoundation.org. We would love to hear from you!

Librarian Named to Time’s List

﻿of 100 Most Influential Creators

Know Your Library Support Groups

of 100 Most Influential Creators