Volunteer Spotlight: Angela
Angela has been a Friends of Wichita Public Library volunteer since book sales began at the Advanced Learning Library. From hauling boxes to wrapping blind dates with books and serving up free ice cream, she shows up with a smile.
How long have you been a Friends of Wichita Public Library (FWPL) volunteer?
I honestly can’t remember, but I guess since we started having book sales at the Advanced Learning Library. It’s been a while, and I have loved every minute of it.
What type of volunteer work do you do for Friends?
Most of what I do is help with the book sale events. I love seeing some of the same people every sale and checking in with our regular volunteers. It’s a lot of hard work to set it up and break it down, but it’s also so fun because of the great volunteers we have that make work feel like fun.
What FWPL-related event have you enjoyed in 2026?
Beside the book sale, my favorite thing was helping with the ice cream socials. People were almost in disbelief that there was free ice cream with no catch! Thanks again to Freddy’s for making that happen ... and who doesn’t love ice cream?
Can you share all the ways you have used your talents for FWPL?
Besides being the muscle for book sales, haha … I have also sorted books by category, wrapped books for blind date with a book, and honestly, am just a smiling face to answer questions from people. You don’t need to have a lot of special talents to be a volunteer. Showing up is the hardest part.
What made you initially decide to become involved with FWPL?
I am passionate about libraries! Growing up, libraries showed me a world outside of my small town in Texas. How else could I sit around the breakfast table with the Bennet family (Pride and Prejudice), learn about a Secret Garden in England (coming from a desert, this was a new concept to me), or be inspired by Jo March to march to the beat of my own drum? Libraries gave me the freedom to explore when I couldn’t and gave me access to places, people, and things I never could have dreamed.
What's your favorite genre when shopping for a book to read?
Probably historical fiction, but I have been reading all kinds of things lately.
What are you currently reading?
"Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and re-reading the Harry Potter books.
Favorite book you've found in our used bookstore or at a recent sale? I like gardening books; I’ve found a few gems!
Why should someone become a member of FWPL? I believe everyone should support libraries! They are a great free resource that we can all use, and they make our communities stronger. Do you belong to a book club? Years ago I was part of one - and a favorite read was "Midnight Library." Give it a read, it’s a great one!
Anything else you'd like to add? Stay tuned for our next book sale and collaboration events coming up!
