North Douglas Library District's
Mildred Whipple Public Library
Link to the Past. . .Gateway to the Future
The Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization dedicated to supporting the public library in Drain, Oregon. We have been actively involved in the Drain community for over 40 years!
Join us at our monthly meetings:
4:00 PM the first Tuesday of each month
at the Mildred Whipple Library
Visitors welcome!
Anna Drain Park Read & Walk Project
What is a Read & Walk?
A Read & Walk is a permanent installation of signs along a path that guide visitors through a picture book story. Stories generally rotate monthly. “Read & Walk” is a variation of StoryWalk®, which is a registered trademark of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, created by Anne Ferguson in Montpelier, Vermont, to promote literacy and physical activity. Other widely-used terms are Story Stroll, Story Trail, and Book Walk.
About the Project
The new Anna Drain Park will include a 20-sign Read & Walk featuring a monthly picture book story and all-ages activities. Each sign will be mounted on a steel post and be accessible from the ADA walkways. Anna Drain Park is managed by the City of Drain: click here to learn more about the park.
20 signs will give enough space for most picture book stories with accompanying themed literacy and/or discussion activities. There will also be a dedicated sign to thank donors who contributed at least $100 to this project. Signs will be manufactured by Lark Signs, which are designed to be durable freestanding outdoor structures and are guaranteed to not fade, peel, yellow, or need replacement for 10 years. Signs are waterproof, UV-resistant, easy to change out, scratch-resistant, require minimal maintenance (just the occasional wipe clean), and are lockable. Each display window is 17" x 11" and materials do not require lamination to be displayed.
This project is a collaboration between the Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library, the City of Drain, the North Douglas Library District, and the North Douglas Parks & Recreation. The Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library are the primary fundraisers for this project and are coordinating the purchase and delivery of the signs. The City of Drain will install the Read & Walk as part of the Anna Drain Park remodel, and the North Douglas Library District will be responsible for switching out and maintaining the stories.
Project Timeline
The Anna Drain Park Read & Walk is estimated to be installed during Fall or Winter 2026. Project updates are available at the regular meeting of the Drain City Council.
Fundraising
The Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library have raised $13,000 of the $16,000 required to add a 20-sign Read & Walk to Anna Drain Park, and now we need your help to meet our goal!
Through Summer 2026 all funds raised through the Friends of the Library will go towards the Anna Drain Park Read & Walk project. This includes:
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The ongoing Friends of the Library Book Sale (located in the Drain Civic Center),
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The Friends' annual Book & Bake Sale (August 15, 2026 from 7 AM to 3 PM during the Drain Citywide Sale),
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Additional fundraising received not earmarked for other projects.
Ways to Donate
Interested in helping fund this project?
All donation amounts accepted. Donors over $100 will receive their name or business listed in the Read & Walk.
Community Donor: $100 - $999
Primary Sponsor: $1,000 or more
Donate In Person (cash or check only)
Visit the Mildred Whipple Library and inquire at the library desk.
Donate Online
Click the button below to donate online (via Square):
Donate via Mail
Make checks payable to:
The Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library
PO Box 128
205 West A Ave
Drain, OR 97435
Become Involved
Meetings
The Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library meet monthly in-person.
Find us at the Mildred Whipple Library at 4:00 PM on the first Tuesday of each month.
Visitors welcome!
Membership
Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library membership is $7.00 per year. All members have the option to donate an additional $3.00 per year to help support the North Douglas School District fall and winter food drives. Membership is optional, but required for in-person voting during meetings.
Bookshop.org Affiliate Account
The Friends of the Mildred Whipple Library have an affiliate account on Bookshop.org. All money received from sales through our affiliate link go directly back into the Mildred Whipple Library.
Donations
Mildred and Friends Store
Looking for the perfect bookish gifts?
Show your pride in the North Douglas Library District and the community of Drain, Oregon, with one of our custom-designed line of library items, featuring artwork from our community!
Browse our collection of t-shirts, tote bags, stickers, magnets, coffee mugs, and more, on our Etsy shop. All stickers and magnets are available at the Mildred Whipple Library for a discounted rate; contact us to place your order.
All proceeds from the Mildred and Friends Store benefit the Mildred Whipple Library.
