For Immediate Release: March 9, 2006

Friends of the Asian Library Donate $20,000
to the Asian Branch to Celebrate Its 30th Anniversary

Oakland, CA. -- The Asian Branch of the Oakland Public Library recently received the first installment of the largest donation ever made by the Friends of the Asian Library (FAL) in time for the gala celebration of the Asian Branch's 30th Anniversary to be held in May 2006. The pledged donation of $20,000 marks the highest grant to a branch library from one of its local Friends' groups in recent years.

"This is a wonderful gift to our community," states Madeleine Lee, the Asian Branch Manager. "The pledged donation will help us meet our users' increasing demands for audiovisual materials, as well as books."

The donation will be used to purchase DVDs, CDs and other audiovisual materials, covering language learning, computers, traveling, sports, health, handicrafts, cooking, movies and other life enrichment subjects for adults, as well as children. 

Asked about the secret of the Friends' fundraising campaigns, Ms. Beatrice Wong, the Chairperson of FAL, said that her devotion to the Oakland community is the motivating force behind the successful fundraising activity of FAL. "The community is the Asian Library!" she added.  She revealed that their fundraising ventures adopted many strategies, including an adopt-a-book program, a lunch-fundraising campaign, meet-the-author programs, and book sales. The donation of a large number of books by a bookstore owner last year has created an inventory to sustain its Saturday book sales on a continuous basis.

For several years, FAL donated $10,000 annually to the Asian Branch to acquire much-needed books, library materials and equipment.  FAL also sponsors library programs such as arts and handicrafts workshops, book and author receptions, and cultural performances.  

The Asian Branch Library, located in Oakland 's vibrant Chinatown District, will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary to coincide with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. It is currently the busiest of the 15 branches of the Oakland Public Library system and houses collections in eight Asian languages, as well as English. For further information or news about the upcoming festivities, please call (510) 238-3400, or visit the Oakland Public Library's Website, www.oaklandlibrary.org.

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