Message from the President
How your membership supports the library Dear Friends, As we enter this joyful season and ask you to renew your membership in the Friends—or even increase your support if you are able—we thought you might appreciate a closer look at how the library uses your contribution. Books, Books, Books… and PeriodicalsYour generosity buys books in…
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Corporate Sponsor Spotlight:
Laurie and Kevin McChesney This month we’re delighted to highlight Preferred Properties, a.k.a. Laurie and Kevin McChesney, who’ve been Corporate Sponsors of the Friends of the Key West Library since the beginning of our program. We asked Laurie about their roots in Key West, why they’d chosen the Friends in their charitable giving, and what…
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At the Library — December 2025
Kim Rinaldi, Senior Branch Manager ‘Tis the season for curling up on the porch swing with a cozy mystery, enjoying stories under the twinkling lights, strolling through the Palm Garden on a perfect blue-sky afternoon, and making homemade holiday decorations with Robin, Samantha, and Carly. So, hop on your bicycle and pedal on down to…
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Bookfest 2025
The second annual Key West BookFest, held in the Palm Garden on November 15, recognized the literary heritage of the community. This year’s lineup of over 25 authors included Lucy Burdette, Ralph DePalma, and S.K. Golden. Inside the library, Dr. Corey Malcom of the Florida Keys History Center spoke about the special exhibit of original…
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Marking Dia de los Muertos and the Cemeteries of the Keys on November 7
Ofrenda at the Key West Library. An ofrenda is a home altar traditionally set up for the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), honoring lost loved ones. This year’s library ofrenda includes images of, among others, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Hambright, and Tennessee Williams. In celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the…
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Key West Library BookFest on November 15
The second annual Key West BookFest, recognizing the literary heritage of the community and featuring local authors, will be held Saturday, November 15,, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Key West Library Palm Garden, 700 Fleming Street. This free event promises to appeal to all book lovers. BookFest attendees will meet and speak…
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Corporate Sponsor Spotlight: Michael Halpern
With this newsletter, we begin an occasional feature highlighting our corporate sponsors. Businesses have played a vital role in our support of the Key West Library over the last 50 years. Behind those businesses are the decision-makers whose generosity has meant so much to us. We’d like our Friends to know more about them, beginning…
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Save the Dates for Friends Gala and the Mystery Tea!
The Friends are thrilled to have Ruth Reichl, former editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, restaurant critic for The New York Times, and winner of six James Beard Awards, as our featured guest at our Annual Gala Fundraiser on February 23. Tickets go on sale early for members on December 7. If you’re not a member, consider joining here.…
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Friends Speaker Series Ready to Roll!
Get ready for a dazzling season of stories, insight, and inspiration! The Friends of the Key West Library are thrilled to present our 2026 Speaker Series — an all-star lineup that brings celebrated writers and thinkers right to our library’s doorstep. From memoirs and mysteries to dazzling fiction, food writing, and powerful works of journalism,…
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