Monroeville library's 'Cozy Up' fundraiser is all about the books

The Friends of Monroeville Public Library will hold the biennial “Cozy Up to The Library” fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the library, which will be transformed into a festive winter market.

The event, which offers free admission and cookies, allows shoppers to find items for baking, entertaining and gift-giving. A basket raffle and a wide range of vendors, including Squatch Brewing, Coffee That Helps, Flower Child and Ten Thousand Villages Pittsburgh, will be part of the evening.

A selection of handcrafted “comfy” items, donated by library patrons, will be for sale. Some pieces will be available for immediate purchase at the event and from Dec. 1 to 19. Other donated items will be part of a silent auction, with bids taken from Dec. 1 to 12.

The highest bidders will be notified Dec. 13. Winners can pay by cash or check when picking up the item on Dec. 15 or 18.

A special beer tasting hosted by Squatch Brewing is slated for 4 to 5 p.m. Tickets for the 21-and-older event go on sale Nov. 17 and can be purchased via the Friends’ Facebook page or the library’s calendar page.

Fundraising events like “Cozy Up” support library needs and community projects. The Friends recently donated nearly $11,000 for materials for the Book Walk installed at Community Park West.

Proceeds from the evening will go toward new children’s books and to help fill little free libraries in the community.

Library board and Friends members Amy and Mike Baer are instrumental in supporting local literacy by helping to refurbish and refill little free libraries throughout the community, including ones at Turnpike Gardens, the dog park and Community Park.

Mike Baer plans to build two new little free libraries at Community Park — one near the Book Walk and another near Kelvington Drive — with assistance from Monroeville Recreation Parks.

“Mike is building one that is specific for larger children’s books that will be near the Book Walk,” said Friends Publicity Chair Tara Rotuna. “The new library will be lower to the ground so children can reach them.”

Rotuna added that each month, the Friends will purchase copies of the book featured in the Book Walk for children to take home.

The couple, both seventh grade science teachers (Amy at Gateway and Mike at Elizabeth Forward), are passionate about the library.

“This is an amazing resource for the community,” Mike Baer said. “Being teachers, how can you not want to help an institution like this?”

The Baers’ repair work has included weatherproofing the little free library at Heritage Park and restoring the one at the dog park by adding a new latch and metal overhang to protect the books. Mike Baer uses his own tools and materials for the fixes, focusing on improvement.

“I like to fix; I like to do,” he said. “I like to look at something and say, ‘how can I make this better?’”

The couple also assist at the library by hanging paintings in the Gallery Space and helping with book sales.

“We appreciate the time, talent and generosity of everyone who gave handmade items, as well as the generosity of our raffle basket donors,” said Friends President Diane Lindsey.

The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd.