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Press release from the Humboldt Library Foundation:

The Humboldt Library Foundation (HLF) today presented the Humboldt County Library system with over $100,000 in grants to purchase new books, ebooks, graphic novels, and continued access to language learning resources.

“On behalf of the library staff I want to thank the Humboldt Library Foundation for their generosity and commitment to providing dynamic and relevant resources to the library community,” said Library Director Chris Cooper. “Readers of all ages will be grateful for the vibrant expansion of the graphic novel collection.”

Board President Elizabeth Murguia said, “These annual contributions continue to be pivotal to our local Library system and it’s all thanks to our generous donors. We continue to be amazed by the level of support we receive from the community as we work to keep the library open and relevant for years to come.”

This grant funding includes re-envisioning the Library’s graphic novel and manga collection with the opening of a dedicated section to the genre and an expansion of new materials. Once the domain of superhero comic books and newspaper dailies, comics have become their own legitimate format, winning Caldecotts, Newberys, Coretta Scott King Awards, Hugo Awards, and even Pulitzer Prizes. This new expansion is another example of the library remaining responsive and relevant to patrons old and new. Subscriptions to Mango Languages will also be supported for another year with this funding, in addition to a significant physical and ebook expansion.

“The Foundation’s support is vital to our Library collection, providing up-to-date, useful, and popular books & AV,” said Acquisitions and Technical Services Manager Michael Logan. “This year, we’re especially thrilled to give “graphic narratives” (comics, manga, graphic novels/nonfiction, etc.) their own separate and unique section. The Foundation’s generous support guarantees a huge new infusion of titles to inaugurate what’s sure to be an extremely popular collection. This is huge, and it wouldn’t have happened without the HLF.”

HLF was formed in 1996 to build financial support for the Humboldt County Library system, which includes the Main Library in Eureka, ten branches and a bookmobile that serves fourteen rural communities.  HLF raises funds in the community and makes direct annual grants to the library to help purchase new materials, add programming and provide technology upgrades. Since its inception, HLF has provided over $1.4 million in grants to the library. 

Donations of any size are welcome.  If you wish to create a donor-advised fund or want more information on the Humboldt Library Foundation and how you can give, visit our website www.humboldtlibraryfoundation.org, ‘like’ us on Facebook, or call the HLF office at (707) 269-1991.