The following article was submitted by Therese Horstketter, an Adult Services Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
Definition of “Library”: a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to.
This is the definition of the physical library in which we store our materials collection, present programs, and do a huge amount of work behind-the-scenes.
Our library encompasses all of that and invites you, our community, to be a part of your library. The library, in turn, is a hub for the community to bring things to us, including requests for materials, your presence and input at programming events and book discussions, your support via the use of our materials, and volunteering at our library.
Definition of “Community”: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
The two definitions above work so well hand-in-hand. We are here for you and we wouldn’t be here without you. The following statement defines what a community/library relationship is all about:
Libraries Build Strong Communities!
Manitowoc Public Library celebrates that idea, most especially during the month of September.
Being part of our community means supporting local businesses that in turn support us, with jobs, health support, entertainment, personal services, and shopping of all kinds.
Therese Horstketter
Throughout the thirty days of the month of September, whenever you shop in Manitowoc County, save your receipts. Bring them to the library and receive a chance at a great raffle prize! The receipts must be dated in September 2022 and come from a Manitowoc County business. We will return the receipt to you, just placing a small mark on it to show it has been used for our raffle. For each receipt, you get a raffle ticket. Speaking for myself and co-workers, if you can underline the date on your receipts before you present it to MPL staff that would be a huge help!
Another way to earn chances at our raffle prizes is by doing one of the easiest things to do at a library—check out materials! You’ll receive a raffle ticket for your checkout receipt. Once again, we’ll mark it and you will keep it so you have your due date list to take home. Just think of all the great things you can take home with you, borrowed from your amazing library. And besides that, you’ll get a chance to win!
Last, but definitely not least, you will receive a raffle ticket if you sign up for a new library card with us! Or if you renew your card during this time, you also get a raffle ticket.
During the month of September, we will be debuting a new welcome packet that you will receive when you get your first library card with us. To add to the hoopla, there will be a little extra something in the welcome packet just for the month of September.
This is going to be so much fun! Shop like you usually do, save your receipts, stop and get raffle tickets, fill them out, and deposit them for the chance at six huge door prizes. And of course, check out a few—or more—things to enjoy at home.
When September 2022 comes to an end, during that first week of October, six lucky winners will each receive $100 in Chamber Bucks! And even if you’re not one of the lucky six winners, we’re all fortunate to be a part of this fantastic community and all it has to offer.
