For those who love working with books, visiting the library and supporting their community, joining Gloucester County Friends of the Library is a great way to stay involved and help provide literacy and educational programming for people of all ages. The group is currently seeking new members to take part in its efforts.
“It just helps to enhance the mission of the library,” said Chris Thomas, treasurer of Friends of the Library, about the organization.
The Friends of the Library raises money through its bookstore, located at Gloucester County Public Library’s Main Street Center, to help fund literacy and educational programming for the community, staff training opportunities and materials for both library branches.
The group also helped with the funding for last year’s renovation at the Main library. Members even raised enough funds to purchase an interactive computer table for the children’s area.
“It’s really a yearly membership,” said Thomas.
Once per year, new and returning members pay $10 at the library to update their membership. In return, they get a new sticker on their card to reflect the year and they also receive a coupon book to use at the Friends bookstore.
Right now, there is a coupon in the book to be used for January-February for one free romance book or one free book of the user’s choice. In March-April, there is a coupon available for one free fantasy book or one free book of the user’s choice. This pattern continues throughout the year, highlighting various genres, but members do not have to pick from that genre if they do not wish.
“It’s just to point out the different books we have,” said Friends of the Library president Henry “Hurricane” Thompson, about the themed coupon book.
There are also coupons included that can only be used during specific times, such as the library’s Summer Reading Kick-Off, Comix Con, Spooktacular Celebration and Holiday Open House events. There is also a coupon to be used during National Library Week in April.
The Friends of the Library will also hold special sales throughout the year.
“In March, there will be a sale for gardening books,” said Thompson.
Every Tuesday morning before the library opens, a dedicated group of FOL volunteers sort through book donations, organize the books and restock the bookstore’s shelves.
“I believe in community service,” said member and volunteer Ron Rardin.
“You just meet a lot of neat people,” said Barbara Bower, another member and volunteer.
The bookstore relies on donations from the community to stay in operation.
“What keeps us going is the citizens,” said the Friends’ Vice President Bill Dean.
“We do have wonderful support from the community,” said Bower.
The organization invites people to visit the bookstore and purchase books that are typically no more than $2 each.
“The bookstore is open whenever the library is open,” said Thompson.
The Gloucester County Friends of the Library will have a Facebook page soon so the public can stay up-to-date with all of its happenings.
“It’s going quite well, but we just want to spread the word,” said Thompson.