Read and Raise 2022
Support the Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries Read & Raise Challenge
Money raised will help support equitable access and resources at San Mateo County Libraries
This month the Foundation for San Mateo County Libraries Board Members are taking on a Read & Raise Challenge. This challenge is to support equitable access initiatives at our libraries. Over the next few weeks, Board Members will be raising funds by doing what they love most – reading.
Read & Raise
Beginning July 10, Board members will be sharing their Read & Raise Challenge experience via social media. Join us in supporting them as they borrow books, read books, share books and more. For the challenge, they created three teams, Barrier Breakers, Outsiders, and #morethanbooks. These teams represent their passion for books, libraries and communities. Last year, our board raised close to $15,000 to support San Mateo County Libraries. This year, they hope to raise $18,000 over the course of the month. During the month, our board members will challenge themselves to engage with the library and community to share what they are reading, and learning. The board members will track their progress online via their profile page and we will all watch the leaderboard change daily as the commitment to their goals increase.
What it will support?
Amazing library programs and initiatives
- Literacy Programs
- Pitch-It staff engagement and program funding
- Expand access to library resources
- Support well-being and growth of staff
- Creating welcoming library spaces
Donate today
Why these team names?
San Mateo County Libraries thrives on providing access to a variety of ways to learn and engage with the library. Read about the team captains and Click on the team names to learn just a handful of ways to use your library card.
#Morethanbooks
Hi! My name is Angel, I am new to the board and excited to be a part of this group! I selected the “more than books” team because I believe there is no space like a public library to feel the embrace of community, provide a sense of place, boost self confidence and contribute to personal growth! Follow our campaign and spread the word that our libraries offer so much more than books.
– Angel, team captain
Outsiders
I am counting down the days until Read & Raise, the Foundation’s first annual Board Readathon. I picked Team Outsiders because my TBR (To Be Read) list is filled with banned and/or commonly challenged books that I’ve been intending to read. I strongly believe that all stories deserve to be told and that books help us think deeply about justice, politics, freedom, love and loss. Banned books are often heavy, uncomfortable and hard to read but they create a much needed opportunity to view the world through someone else’s perspective.
I love that San Mateo County Libraries fosters a culture that supports free speech and intellectual freedom and like all libraries protects the right to read and access information. SMCL offers a collection of commonly banned books with no holds or wait times through Libby, a digital platform.
– Colleen, Team captain
Barrier Breakers
Hi everyone! I am a new board member and super excited to lead the Barrier Breakers group in the Foundation’s first Board Readathon. Reading books with diverse perspectives transports us to worlds that we would not otherwise be able to access deeply, and increases our empathy for people different from us. My favorite part about reading a book on a culture different from mine is the “a-ha” moment of recognizing a familiar human emotion in a new setting. San Mateo County libraries never fail to impress me with the diversity of fiction and non-fiction books they offer, including in the children’s section. I hope you will join the campaign, enjoy reading interesting books and raise awareness with us!
-Ritu, team captain
Donate today
We encourage you to support the Read & Raise Challenge and stay tuned for updates from our Board. They will rally their communities, networks and social media to raise funds. Together, we will ensure the continued strength of San Mateo County Libraries and invest in the power of books to enrich the lives of everyone in our communities. #investinsmcl #ReadandRaise @FoundationSMCL #loveyourlibrary