Our wonderful longtime volunteer Lynn Belgea was honored during the Minnesota Association of Library Friends’ Saturday Splash event in September. Lynn was recognized with the 2025 Stand Up for Standout Friends Award for her decades of volunteerism with the Ramsey County Library Friends.
Lynn is a dedicated supporter of libraries and has been an active promoter of RCLF activities since joining our board in 2008. She chaired the Membership Committee from 2008 through 2018, overseeing a 39% increase in membership households. She’s filled additional roles such as serving on the capital campaign to build the new Shoreview library in 2017 and even wearing our mascot costume to entertain children.
Membership Committee
Lynn chaired the Membership Committee from 2008 through 2018. During those years, member households increased by 39% from 629 to 876! This wonderful trend was achieved with fun and innovative activities such as leading members-only tours of remodeled libraries, hosting information tables at book sales, and preparing posters to highlight the impact of RCLF support for Ramsey County Library.
Fundraising
From 2014 through 2020 the Friends annual Gala Events raised funds to supplement Ramsey County library programs and collections. Costumes were encouraged (not required) and were based on the theme of that year’s event. Typical themes included The Great Gatsby, Spies, Lies & Literature, Kids at Heart, Whale of a Tale and Hats Off to the Library. Lynn’s costumes were always eye-catching – she was especially proud of making her own hat for the Mary Poppins costume!
The Friends have run several capital campaigns to provide funds above the library budget for renovations. Lynn helped with the campaign committee when the library in Shoreview moved next door to a completely new building in 2017. When we raised money for the Roseville renovation with an auction, Lynn snagged the winning bid for a character in William Kent Krueger’s upcoming novel Northwest Angle (anyone remember “nurse Lynn Belgea” from that book?)
Background
She was not a nurse in real life, but Lynn worked almost 30 years as an attorney for the State of Minnesota, first with the Metropolitan Council working on regional land use, environment, transportation and diversity matters; then with the MN department of health advising in the areas of data practices, contracts and emergency preparedness. She also volunteered as treasurer for the St. Paul District 6 Planning Council and as a member of the Land Use Task Force working on zoning and planning issues.
Booker Mascot
The Friends purchased Booker’s costume and license in 2002, and Lynn was one of just a handful of lucky folks who brought Booker to life.
Quotes
Lynn has said “A good library has comfortable chairs where people can snuggle up to enjoy a book. When children visit the library and see patrons enjoying books in a relaxed atmosphere, it is modeling good reading behavior for them”
We recently heard her say that she subscribes to this quote from the Harry Potter books: “When in doubt, go to the library.”
The Friends are proud to claim Lynn Belgea as one of our long-term, enthusiastic members who has made a difference to our organization and to Ramsey County Library.
Ramsey County Library Friends
Ramsey County Library Friends (formerly Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the libraries in making information, books, music, and programs available to the public.
MALF Stand Out Friend Award to Lynn Belgea
Our wonderful longtime volunteer Lynn Belgea was honored during the Minnesota Association of Library Friends’ Saturday Splash event in September. Lynn was recognized with the 2025 Stand Up for Standout Friends Award for her decades of volunteerism with the Ramsey County Library Friends.
Lynn is a dedicated supporter of libraries and has been an active promoter of RCLF activities since joining our board in 2008. She chaired the Membership Committee from 2008 through 2018, overseeing a 39% increase in membership households. She’s filled additional roles such as serving on the capital campaign to build the new Shoreview library in 2017 and even wearing our mascot costume to entertain children.
Membership Committee
Lynn chaired the Membership Committee from 2008 through 2018. During those years, member households increased by 39% from 629 to 876! This wonderful trend was achieved with fun and innovative activities such as leading members-only tours of remodeled libraries, hosting information tables at book sales, and preparing posters to highlight the impact of RCLF support for Ramsey County Library.
Fundraising
From 2014 through 2020 the Friends annual Gala Events raised funds to supplement Ramsey County library programs and collections. Costumes were encouraged (not required) and were based on the theme of that year’s event. Typical themes included The Great Gatsby, Spies, Lies & Literature, Kids at Heart, Whale of a Tale and Hats Off to the Library. Lynn’s costumes were always eye-catching – she was especially proud of making her own hat for the Mary Poppins costume!
The Friends have run several capital campaigns to provide funds above the library budget for renovations. Lynn helped with the campaign committee when the library in Shoreview moved next door to a completely new building in 2017. When we raised money for the Roseville renovation with an auction, Lynn snagged the winning bid for a character in William Kent Krueger’s upcoming novel Northwest Angle (anyone remember “nurse Lynn Belgea” from that book?)
Background
She was not a nurse in real life, but Lynn worked almost 30 years as an attorney for the State of Minnesota, first with the Metropolitan Council working on regional land use, environment, transportation and diversity matters; then with the MN department of health advising in the areas of data practices, contracts and emergency preparedness. She also volunteered as treasurer for the St. Paul District 6 Planning Council and as a member of the Land Use Task Force working on zoning and planning issues.
Booker Mascot
The Friends purchased Booker’s costume and license in 2002, and Lynn was one of just a handful of lucky folks who brought Booker to life.
Quotes
Lynn has said “A good library has comfortable chairs where people can snuggle up to enjoy a book. When children visit the library and see patrons enjoying books in a relaxed atmosphere, it is modeling good reading behavior for them”
We recently heard her say that she subscribes to this quote from the Harry Potter books: “When in doubt, go to the library.”
The Friends are proud to claim Lynn Belgea as one of our long-term, enthusiastic members who has made a difference to our organization and to Ramsey County Library.
Ramsey County Library Friends
Ramsey County Library Friends (formerly Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the libraries in making information, books, music, and programs available to the public.
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