| FRIENDS OF
THE LIBRARY |
A Celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week
(2008)
HISTORY
OF THE FRIENDS
The Friends of the Gloversville Public Library were incorporated as a
not-for-profit organization in 1974 to assist the library in its
mission of serving this community. The Friends have more than 300
members, many of whom donate time as well as money, to help improve the
Gloversville Public Library in many ways.
The Friends recognize that an excellent library is a cornerstone of our
community that provides everyone with the opportunity to engage in
life-long learning and to connect with the ideas of others from past to
present. A quality library helps to attract new people and businesses
to an area. Libraries preserve our past and are a tremendous resource
for planning our future. So the Friends’ mission is simple: Raise funds
and use them in any way possible to improve the collection and services
of their library for the benefit of all community members.
The Friends have several fund-raisers throughout the year including a
two-day book sales in June and October. On the second day of the sale,
baked goods are available for purchase also.
These funds are used to purchase various items to improve the
collection, including books, DVDs, books-on-CD, and computer software.
They also buy equipment for the library, such as book-trucks and
portable air conditioners. They provide funding for remodeling
projects, like new carpeting and horizontal blinds. The Friends’
donations to the Gloversville Public Library over the past five years
have averaged more than $15,000 annually.
The Friends provide special programs for people of all ages. Pre-School
Story Time is popular with the little ones on Thursdays at 10:30, while
school-age children participate in monthly craft activities on certain
Saturdays. The Friends supply give-away children’s book boxes at local
Laundromats and at the Nathan Littauer emergency room, to help promote
reading. The Friends also maintain the rotating exhibits in the display
case of the library’s lobby.
"The Friends are more than an auxiliary organization that assists the
library with fund-raising,” says Barbara Madonna, Director of the
Gloversville Public Library. “It is a dedicated group of individuals
who understand that public libraries are a valuable asset to a
community. Our Friends are a vibrant group who step up time and again
to whatever project or challenge they are asked to help with. I cannot
praise and thank them enough for their service to this library and this
community."
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