What Bookmarks Supports

For more than 50 years, the Cottonwood Public Library has benefited from funds raised through Bookmarks. An entire list of its accomplishments is far too numerous to include here.  Below is a synopsis of what Bookmarks has funded in the last seven years to enhance library programs and to provide much needed equipment.

  • The purchase of a new reference desk

  • Book carts

  • Fees for staff to attend the AZLA/MPLA [Arizona Library Association and Mountain Plains Library Association] annual conference

  • Summer reading programs

  • Dual aisle RFID security gates

  • The initiation of an annual $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a college or technical school bound student who has shown enthusiasm for his or her intended career choice.

  • To upgrade computer availability in the library’s Teen Zone, eight new laptops were purchased.

  • To support the library’s goal to provide event and program information to patrons, Bookmarks funded the purchase of a flat-screen television, which has been installed above the Reference Desk. Another flat-screen television was purchased for the smaller meeting room to provide patrons with a way to utilize video presentations.

  • Purchased a new World Book encyclopedia set to ensure patrons who do not use computers still have access to reference material.

  • Funded free access for library patrons to tutor.com during the time of increased virtual learning because of the pandemic.

  • STEAM kits? STEAM is an acronym which refers to the following subjects: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Studies have shown that hands-on experience is extremely helpful in children’s learning. These kits allow children to use their creativity skills while learning important concepts. The Cottonwood Library has a collection of STEAM kits available for use in the Youth Services area. 

  • Annual Cottonwood Bookmarks - Friends of the Library $1,000 scholarship, awarded to a recipient recognized as enthusiastically pursuing activities related to his/her intended career choice. Cottonwood Bookmarks is pleased to announce this year’s recipient of their $1000 scholarship is Andrea Varela.  Andrea will be attending Grand Canyon University to become a Kindergarten teacher - helping a child begin their educational path - a lifelong goal of hers.

    The theme for the required candidate essay is passion for their career choice, the pursuit of a long held interest. Because of this theme, a last minute generous donation was given to Bookmarks to honor several other qualified applicants with a $500 scholarship.

This year’s Scholarship Winners, Front Row, (Left to Right) Calvin Miller, Brooke McCracken, Andrea Varela, Kamber Delahel, and Marcus Bueno