Strathmore Library hosts silent auction
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As a follow up to their annual Christmas market, the Strathmore Municipal Library decided to bring back their annual silent auction in support of library services.
Laura Henderson, assistant director of library services, explained the auction has not been hosted at the library since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and staff were excited to bring it back.
“We held our market on (Nov. 25) and part of the vendor fee was a donation from their table to be put into our silent auction at the library fundraiser,” she said. “We have 19 items in the auction from each of the vendors. They are small items; we did not have any specifications for the vendors to follow in terms of what they donated, just what they felt comfortable with.”
According to Henderson, a total of 18 vendors participated at the Library’s Christmas market, out of a maximum 20 which could be fit into the program room.
These ranged from local businesses and artisans, to young entrepreneurs having a go at being part of the market.
“We had all levels of vendors at our market, and the youngest, I am guessing she was about 12, and she donated a small ornament that she made. We also go all the way up to a $100 tattoo certificate,” said Henderson. “It is small items, so it is definitely more of a community building activity. It is also a great way for vendors to get their name out and to give a little bit back to the library.”
The Strathmore Municipal Library is aiming to once again make their silent auction an annual event to follow the Christmas market, as well as to potentially start up an annual spring market.
Henderson added the library recorded over 175 people having come through the doors on the day of the market to check out the event.
“We have missed having the market all along, so as soon as we felt that it was a good year to bring it back, we just decided to jump in and do it and it has been a huge success,” she said. “The vendors were all so happy to donate to us as well; they were so happy to be here in the library. The whole thing has gone very, very well for something that we just brought back after a few years.”
The silent auction to support library programming ran from the conclusion of the Christmas market until Dec. 9. As the event continues in upcoming years, the goal is reportedly to grow it and continue to have it support library programs.