‘A Royal Affair’

The Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library is an important resource here at Gustavus Adolphus College for students, faculty, and the college community. Every other year the Gustavus Library Associates Board hosts their Biennial Benefit in order to raise proceeds for the Gustavus Library Associates endowment of the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library.

The Gustavus Library Associates was created by President Ed Lindell’s wife, Patty Lindell.

“The College was wanting to be recognized as a Phi Beta Kappa institution as this is one of the highest levels of academic quality.  One reason the college could not be recognized was the lack of resources in the library.  A group of capable and dedicated women began to form and in 1977 Gustavus Library Associates was born.” Alumni and Administrator, Barb Larson Taylor said.

“This event has raised over 2 million dollars for the library. Each year we hope raise a little bit more”
—Dana Lamb

The Gustavus Library Associates has held the Biennial Benefit starting in 1978, where members of the Gustavus community are invited to a gala dinner and silent auction fundraiser. The event brings members of the Gustavus community together for a worthy cause.

The event would not be possible if it were not for the volunteers that help out at the event.

“We have a lot of volunteers. We have over 50 volunteers on the board who are helping and about 75 other volunteers that come and help out.” Assistant Director of Communication Services in Marketing and Communication, and Director of the Benefit, Dana Lamb said.

These volunteers help to run the event and donate auction items that help raise the money for the library.

“Right now for auction items, we have over 250 items.” Lamb said.
Some of the silent auction items include Ryder Cup tickets, and a dinner with President Bergman.

Lamb express how the benefit is not only a great fundraiser for the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library but believes that it is also a great experience for the volunteers working at the event.

“It’s fun because there are so many people involved and so many people have hands in it. I think the teamwork part of it is the most fun part about it.” Lamb said.

The Gustavus Library Associates has helped the library throughout the years and their Biennial Benefit is by far the largest and most helpful event towards the library.

“It’s fun because there are so many people involved and so many people have hands in it.”
—Dana Lamb

“The Gustavus Library Associates raises a significant amount of money for the library. These gifts go directly to the acquisitions budget and this year for the first time will also be targeted toward some library space improvements.

“Approximately 20% of our acquisitions budget comes from money raised by the GLA and is used to buy books, databases, movies and music.” Library Chair, Daniel Mollner said.

“The event has raised over 2 million dollars for the library. Each year we hope to raise a little bit more”
— Dana Lamb

The amount of money that is raised from having the Biennial benefit is significant.

“This event has raised over 2 million dollars for the library. Each year we hope to raise a little bit more.” Lamb said.

This year’s benefit, A Royal Affair will be held at  at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.