Friends deliver the LO Reads book to contributing members ahead of the library giveaway

During the first week of February, members of the Friends Board handed out nearly 200 copies of the 2026 LO Reads book, Tilt by Emma Pattee to Friends members. Above, Board Member Janet Buck greets a Friends member. Below, Board Member Nell Diamond poses with a Friends member.

Event highlights of the 2026 LO Reads during April

Contributed by Friends Board Member Vera Vos.

This year’s LO Reads book is Tilt by Emma Pattee, a story that takes place in the setting of a major earthquake in our part of the country. This premise, plus many other issues surrounding the protagonist, are all explored in more detail during LO Reads Events during the month of April.

The numerous options available may leave you a bit unbalanced (pun intended) but will not be interesting and fun, there are also several related to Emergency Preparedness that may, literally, save your life. Click here to check out the calendar and event descriptions. Or pick up a description brochure with calendar at the Lake Oswego Public Library. Some events require prior registration; click here to register. 

Click here for a few event highlights.

Twenty years of reading together: how did LO Reads got started?

Contributed by Friends Board Member Vera Vos.

Many things are born with a question and grow with ideas. In the late 1990s Nancy Pearl, a Seattle librarian, book critic, author, and local celebrity asked, “What happens if a whole city read the same book?”

That question made its way to Lake Oswego, right into Cyndie Glazers lap. Cyndie was the brand-new Lake Oswego Public Library (LOPL) Volunteer Coordinator when the librarian suggested she organize a community read, as Seattle did. That was like taking a non-swimmer, not into the deep end but into the middle of the ocean and saying, “Good luck!”

But Cyndie rose to the challenge and started brainstorming ideas.

Click here to read more about the creation of LO Reads.

Who’s shopping at the BOOKtique? An interview with Patrick

Contributed by Friends Board Member Vera Vos.

While browsing the stacks at Monroe BOOKtique in February like, a pirate looking for buried treasure, I stopped to talk to other browsers. Stories are not just in books and sometimes buried treasures are human. I wanted to find out what brought one shopper here on this day.

Click here to read what Patrick told me. 

BOOKtique volunteer profile: Linda Berns

BOOKtique volunteer Linda Berens grew up and resided in Southern California before moving to Oregon four years ago. She discovered the BOOKtique five months after relocating and, she says, “I figured it might be a place to find ‘my people’. That was April 2022, and I was right.”

Linda has always been an avid reader. A couple of her recent favorites include My Friends by Richard Bachman and Jojo Moyes’ We All Live Here Now. Presently, she’s reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Linda is partial to fiction but will explore other genres when a particular subject interests her. 

In addition to reading, she enjoys doing puzzles, playing bridge and a wide assortment of games, and gardening. Linda volunteers as a cashier at the BOOKtique on Monroe.

How do memberships, donations and book sales make an impact?

During 2025, Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library fulfilled its mission to “assist the Library in fulfilling its mission through advocacy, funding, promotion and volunteer support.”

Some highlights include:

• Friends grants to the Library supported 112 Friends-sponsored events at which nearly 8,000 people attended.
• BOOKtique book sales exceeded $145,000, run by nearly 8500 volunteer hours.
• Increased Friends membership to over 350, which is represented by 22 area zip codes

These and other accomplishments are detailed in the recently published 2025 Impact Report. Click here to download and read.

Friends board member profile: Eric Weberg

Friends Board Member Eric Weberg, who has served on the board for approximately ten years, was drawn to Friends of the Lake Oswego Library as a way to give back locally while supporting literacy, education, and lifelong learning in a tangible way.

“Growing up on my family’s cattle ranch in Central Oregon gave me an appreciation for community, shared resources, and learning outside of the classroom. Libraries have always represented opportunity and access to knowledge.”

Click here to read more about Eric.

Does your employer match charitable donations?

Your support of the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library makes a meaningful difference—and thanks to employer matching programs, your gift can go even further.

An easy way to maximize your contribution is by donating through your employer’s Benevity (or workplace giving) portal. When you give this way, your donation is often automatically matched—doubling your support without any extra steps. (Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library is a vetted charity through Benevity.)

How to maximize your gift:

1. Log in to your employer’s Benevity or workplace giving platform.
2. Search for “Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library.”
3. Make your donation directly through the portal.
4. Your employer match is typically applied automatically—no additional request needed.

Why this matters:
As highlighted in our recent Impact Report, donations from our community help fund critical library enhancements—from expanded collections and engaging programs for all ages to special initiatives that enrich learning, literacy, and connection across Lake Oswego. Every dollar contributes to making the library a vibrant, welcoming hub for our entire community.

If you’ve already donated outside of your employer’s platform, you may still be eligible to request a match—check with your HR department for details.

Thank you for helping us amplify the impact of every gift and sustain the programs and services that make our library exceptional.

Not a contributing member? Join Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library

Your contribution helps fund enriching library programs and events. Over 100 Lake Oswego Public Library programs, service and events are sponsored by Friends each year!

Join online: www.friendslopl.org/join-us

ALL Friends contributors receive:

• A 15% discount on your BOOKtique purchases – every day!
• A copy of our Watermarks newsletter emailed to the email address we have on file for you.
• Early, guaranteed access to annual Lake Oswego Reads book and lecture.

All contributions to the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, qualify as tax-deductible donations. Federal Tax ID: 51-0175514.