Robert Kuehnle is no librarian, but the best-selling author knows the power of librarians and libraries in small cities like Natchez.

Since 2003, the Natchez native has been writing a series of books, under the pen name Ashton Lee, about a library struggling to stay open with decreasing funds and a small staff.

The scenario is all too real for libraries facing a new state funding cut of more than $1 million to the state’s library commission, which helps fund local libraries across the state.

Like librarian Maura Beth Mahew, the main character in his Cherry Cola Book Club series, Kuehnle decided to think outside the box to help save his hometown library.

Kuehnle suggested a fundraiser to help offset the budget cuts that will go into effect Oct. 1. Kuehnle learned of the cuts from Mississippi Library Commission director and former Armstrong Library director Susan Cassagne.

“The cuts will be a blow that the general public will feel all across the state,” Kuehnle said.

After talking with Cassagne, Kuehnle decided to donate $1,000 worth of his Cherry Cola Book Club novels to the library to sell at an event to highlight the importance of the library to Natchez and to small communities across Mississippi.

“Since my current series is about a Mississippi librarian struggling to keep her library open, donating the novels to the library seemed like the right thing to do.”

The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Sept. 15 at the library on Commerce Street.

“There will be food, drink and socializing,” Kuehnle said. “But more importantly, I will speak about what our libraries mean to me and to our communities.”

Armstrong Library Director Pam Plummer said the library was excited when Kuehnle reached out to help.

“We greatly appreciate Robert for recognizing the library was in a financial strain and (being) willing to help us out,” Plummer said.

Circulation Manager Marianne Raley said Kuehnle has been very helpful to the library in the past years, donating money for shutters and palm trees for landscaping.

“He decided he wanted to help because this is his hometown library — his home community,” Raley said.

Kuehnle said he remembers being taken by the hand an enrolled at the summer reading program at the old Fisk Library when he was 5 or 6 years old. When he learned he could win ribbons for reaching certain reading levels, Kuehnle said he was hooked.

“Suddenly my competitive instincts kicked in,” Kuehnle said. “I became a reader and never stopped reading.”

Kuehnle was a patron of the Fisk Library and the Armstrong Library as he grew up. Living and writing in Oxford, Kuehnle continues to be a patron of libraries across the state.

For the general public, libraries are so much more than checking out the next best seller, Kuehnle said. People use them every day for finding job leads, writing resumes and doing research of non-fiction topics that are not readily available, Kuehnle said.

Even still, Kuehnle said funding is always a problem for libraries.

“Political bodies always tend to think of them last, and (they) are usually the first place to be cut,” Kuehnle said.

As a result, libraries continually have to think out of the box to address shortfalls.

Kuehnle said that is why he wanted to do his part in coming up with a creative solution to help the library.

Patrons who attend will be encouraged to make donations to the library. In return, they will receive autographed set of four books, Kuehnle said.

With the help of Mary Emrick and her bookstore Turning Pages, Kuehnle has arranged to have 28 sets of his books available at the fundraiser.

A set of four books is $60.

“People will be encouraged to give more if they want,” Raley said. “If they want to donate without purchasing a set of books they can do that to. People can be as generous as they wish”

Raley said that several local restaurants have donated food for the event.

“We are excited and looking forward to it,” Plummer said.