According to United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, "Friends of Libraries groups have their very own national week of celebration! United for Libraries will coordinate the 19th annual National Friends of Libraries Week October 20-26, 2024."
Friends of the Library groups operate independently from the libraries they support. They generously give their time and energy to planning and hosting events like books sales. Funds from events such as these support activities like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and the Summer Reading Program.
Many communities throughout Great River Regional Library have Friends of the Library groups to support branch library programming needs. Friends can play many roles:
- Generate local funding support
- Preserve branch library local history
- Advocate at state levels for library services
- Recognize local volunteers
Often a member-based organization, Friends groups conduct their own fundraising activities, such as bake sales and seasonal book sales.
Please contact your nearby branch library for information about Friends groups in your area.