Volunteer Spotlight: Andy

“You had me at $5 a bag.” When Andy attended his first Friends of the Wichita Public Library Book Sale, he couldn’t believe he could fill a bag of books for $5. Seven years later, he’s stocking a Little Free Library and telling everyone he knows: book people are great people.

How long have you been a Friends of Wichita Public Library (FWPL) member?

I first joined about seven years ago when I joined my (now) wife at one of the book sales. I purchased my membership and bag and started looking through the books, being very selective in what I kept. Suzanne laughed at me and told me if one interested me at all, to put it in the bag…” These cost $5 a bag.” My stunned reply, very loudly, was “$5 a BAG?!?” That caused a good laugh for everyone around us.

What type of volunteer work do you look forward to doing for the Friends?

I’m really looking forward to continuing to promote the Wichita Public Library wherever possible.

Ever since that first book sale I attended, I’ve promoted them to everyone that I know – such great books and such great people. Book people are great people! I’ve attended several of the pop-ups and enjoy seeing how well they are received. I’m looking forward to helping with those, too!

What FWPL-related event have you enjoyed in 2026?

Book sales – obviously. We love going to the book sales and have several goals – books for us, favorite books that we want to share with friends and family, and books that look like they’d be good for our Little Free Library.

The pop-ups, too, have been very fun – I’ve attended at both Central Standard Brewing and Hopping Gnome. Books and brews are a great combination.

Can you share all the ways you plan to use your talents for FWPL?

I bring a positive, fun-loving attitude with a strong desire to help grow FWPL. I’ve heard this is one of the most energetic and passionate groups supporting the improvement of Wichita, and I’m excited to join a team with that same mindset. I’m hoping that, as a team, we continue to find ways to expand the reach of FWPL and grow our membership. I’m especially excited about helping with Book Sales and Partners & Promotions Committee.

What made you decide to become involved with FWPL?

My wife and I love books. Our office, living room and basement playroom all have bookcases full of books. We’ve not read them all, but like I’ve heard before, the unread books are full of possibilities!

We also maintain a Little Free Library in our front yard, filling it with books from our own library and from the FWPL book sales. I want to build on our personal loves of reading and books and share that with others through the FWPL and the library programs that it supports.

What is your favorite genre when shopping for a book to read?

This is a tough one…it always depends on my mood. Go-to genres for me are historical fiction and historical drama, non-fiction books on American history, and dark humor.

What are you currently reading?

I often have several books going at a time – a physical book (“American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey From Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump” by Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark), an e-book (“Heather: A Novel” by Caitlin Mull) and an audio book (“Heart of Glass: A Novel” by Jennifer Hillier). “Heart of Glass” is on loan to me from the Wichita Public Library through Libby!

Favorite book you've found in our used bookstore or at a recent book sale?

At the most recent book sale, we picked up several copies of a recipe compilation from Frank Good’s column, “Home Town News,” in the Wichita Eagle from years ago. The other evening, we were laughing, reading through the recipes (vinegar pie, anyone?) and comments. We’re always looking for books that we’ve loved to buy copies for other people.

Why should someone become a member of FWPL?

Anyone that loves reading and public libraries, especially the Wichita Public Library, should become a member of FWPL. Selfishly, being a member gives you early access to the book sales, giving you first pick from thousands of great choices! More importantly, our membership helps support programming and community services that might otherwise not have funding available through the city budget.

Being a member puts you in the company of other book lovers and people that care about literacy in our community.

Do you belong to a book club? What has been your club's favorite read?

I attend the KMUW Literary Feast book club pretty regularly. My favorite book so far this year has been “Angel Down” by Daniel Kraus. Last year’s favorite was probably “The Antidote” by Karen Russell.

While not a book club, my wife and I planned a buddy read of “Lonesome Dove” this past summer. We set up a reading schedule, so we’d stay at the same pace, but after the first week, we threw out the schedule. We both loved that book and could not put it down! #WeDon’tRentPigs

Anything else you’d like to add?

I grew up in west Wichita, and my library was always the Westlink Branch. I started going to this branch when it was in a small strip mall near Peterson Elementary School.

I just recently went back to the Westlink Branch, my first visit since the remodel, and was filled with wonderful memories of my childhood, my own children’s experiences, and excitement for what it continues to offer today’s children and adults. I left the library with a book I’d placed on hold and with a huge smile. I want to help Wichita Public Library continue its mission: Connect. Discover. Learn.Thrive.