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What We Do

The Library Foundation enriches lives in our community by advocating for a vital library, increasing awareness, raising funds and supporting key library programs.

The Stanislaus Library Foundation supports the Stanislaus County Library in a variety of ways. For instance, the Foundation fully funded the 2011 Summer Reading Program for Children and Teens reaching more than 11,000 people annually.  We are also supporting E-Books coming to the library in the next few months, Stanislaus Reads and the Third Thursday Artwalk at the downtown Modesto Library.  These programs further promote literacy and positively impact our community.

Additionally the Foundation presents

  • Community workshops on topics such as estate planning and home organization at branches throughout the county, and
  • Shining Star AwardsThe annual Shining Star Awards to recognize an individual, an organization and/or a business that support the Stanislaus County Library through volunteer efforts, advocacy, or monetary support. If you know of an individual, organization or corporation who might qualify for this award, please complete the nomination form (pdf). The 2011 Shining Star Recipients were:
    • Stan Cunningham - Individual Category for his commitment and enthusiasm about the Bridge to Technology program as well as offer ideas on how to keep the curriculum up to date and actively recruiting others to donate their time to the program.
    • Marye Martinez - A member of the Friends of Empire Library for the past 2 years, working to coordinate three major events for the library as well as coordinating a recognition tea as a way of providing contest participant praise and awards on behalf of the library.
    • The Stanislaus Civil War Association- This organization was actively involved in the planning and execution of the Modesto Library's 2010 Lincoln Exhibit and related events.  Numerous members assisted the library events, dressed in period clothing, provided a camp tent set-up and served as an honor guard for our Abraham Lincoln look-alike.
    • Petrulakis Jensen and Fredrich - This Modesto law firm has been a Library Foundation supporter for many years.  Judy Jensen served on the Foundation board for six years, two as President, spearheading the Library Foundation's Adult Spelling Bee which raised $13,000 annually.  She has also provided estate planning seminars at the Library for several years.
    • Patricia Hickman -Winner of "The Joan Patterson Stellar Achievement Award", she was given the award as she is the current Friends of the Turlock Library's Secretary and historian for many years.  She has worked tirelessly to keep up all historical date on the Turlock Friends group and has been instrumental in opening the Friends bookstore this past fall.  She is always willing to help in any way possible, scheduling volunteers or making presentation on the group's behalf.

We are pleased to act as a as a fiscal agent for special projects, such Ryan’s Reading Tree or the Omega Nu sponsored Family Dinner Theater. The Foundation would consider it an honor to work with you on a library-related project to honor a loved one, a corporate sponsorship or a grant for a specific library program. Please contact the Foundation at info@stanislauslibraryfoundation.org. We are here to make your idea happen.

RyanRyan’s Reading Tree

Ryan’s Reading Tree is an extraordinary example of what a partnership can accomplish. The tree was inspired and is dedicated to the memory of the life of Ryan Hunter Dickerson, a Modestan who died suddenly in the summer of 2007 at the age of 18.

Ryan, the son of Ron and Lynn Dickerson and brother of Ross Dickerson, was an avid reader, library user and Children’s Department volunteer.

Family and friends who loved Ryan and wished for his memory to live on raised the funds. The Stanislaus Library Foundation acted as the project’s fiscal agent. The tree is the centerpiece of the Modesto Library’s Children’s Room. An existing column has been transformed into a beautiful monumental oak tree that is a lasting tribute to Ryan. It is also the focal point of an inviting and welcoming atmosphere that promotes the joy and magic of reading for generations of children.