Should you find yourself just across the Golden Gate Bridge, in the small town of Mill Valley (Pop. 14,000), stroll past the 1880s structures downtown into the redwood grove that cradles the library. Preserving its programming and facilities has been an ongoing endeavor of mine. Before my involvement, a dry annual letter asked residents to contribute to its funding. I was convinced that combining the right imagery with the appropriate (and fewer) words could coax more generosity. The numbers confirm my suspicions. Since I started adding illustrations and photography to the request, we've seen donations triple. We're now sitting on a multimillion-dollar investment that assures not only preservation but growth in what the library can offer the community it serves. 

 

My favorite? I'm partial to the confident stride featured in our post-pandemic welcome back. Last year's deep roots was fun to conceive. Sometimes, the composition drives the theme. Other years, the message informs how I conceptualize the imagery. For instance, when highlighting many of the outdoor/remote options available in 2020, it seemed appropriate to photograph the library's exterior.

 

Lately, the copy has expanded beyond the concise originals. I'll rein it in this year.