American Library Karlsruhe

When we heard in 1994 that the US Army was planning to close its bases in Karlsruhe, a small international group of civilian users of the Smiley Library formed The Friends of the American Library. Our goal was to keep the former army community library intact, to keep it in Karlsruhe, and to open it to the general public. Then German Foreign Minister and Karlsruhe Representative Dr. Klaus Kinkel agreed to become our Honorary Chairman. The Army donated the library to the City of Karlsruhe, and the City agreed to accept the gift on condition that the Friends raise the money for the annual acquisitions budget and provide volunteers to assist the paid, full-time librarian.

The American Library opened in November 1996 on a trial basis. Doubts that the Karlsruhe public would be interested in an English-language library began to disappear on the first day, when 1000 guests streamed to the opening and long lines formed at the registration desk.

Since that day the library has grown and thrived. With the proceeds of our Friends' membership dues and our semiannual Book and Bake Sales and through the initial support of The Robert Bosch Stiftung, the US Consulate General and other business and private donors, the Friends have met our goal of providing new books and other media worth many thousands of Euros every year. Thus the library is kept constantly up-to-date. Twenty-five volunteers from a number of different nations regularly assist the librarian at the check-out counter and in the office. In addition, the Friends organize conversation groups, readings and other cultural events. Since the opening, thousands of readers from Karlsruhe and beyond have registered for library cards.

The continuing goal of the Friends of the American Library is to support the library by means of:

• volunteer work
  
• purchasing books, media & furnishings
  
• financing cultural events
  
• providing publicity
  

Membership forms are available at the check-out counter at the library or can be requested per phone from the library (0721/72752) - or you can download one here.

The annual membership fee of

   € 25.00 for adults
   € 37.50 for families
   € 12.50 for students
   € 50.00 for "legal entities" (firms, clubs, etc.)

is used exclusively for the support of the American Library.

The membership is valid for one calendar year ending on December 31st. Unless you tell us otherwise, your membership will be renewed automatically.

Please let the Friends know of address changes, bank account changes or email address changes. The Friends are not informed if you change your address in the city library computer system. You may do so by email or using the contact link below.

If you decide you no longer want to be in the Friends, please let us know in writing (email is fine).

Included in your Friends membership is a library card valid for the entire Karlsruhe Public Library System.

Friends receive a mailing three times a year with news about the library as well as the occasional email reminder of upcoming events.

Friends have the right to vote at the annual meeting.

As a Friend, you will feel good about supporting such a fine institution!

Join the Friends of the American Library!

Become a library volunteer. If you are interested, please talk to one of the librarians, who best know where help is needed.

Donate books for our semiannual Book Sale.

Come to the library and check out books and media.

Tell your friends — or bring them to the library and show them around!