What are Friends For?

The Friends of the Library is an organization committed to one of the most important community assets next to our children—our community library. The original Friends formed in 1995 to protect the library’s very existence. The organization’s primary goals were to secure county funding and to raise funds for needs beyond the resources of the library’s regular budget.

The Friends believe that a strong public library is essential for a thriving community. The group has become a 501 (c) 3 organization and has expanded its support to include the following goals:

• Manage and maintain the Friends of the Library Used Book Room.
• Advocate and promote the library.
• Foster a closer relationship between the community and the library.
• Promote knowledge of the library’s functions, resources, services and needs.
• Help to develop and improve library resources and services.
• Help to provide adequate housing and furnishings for the library.
• Encourage donations, bequests, and gifts of books, money or other appropriate materials beyond the resources of the library’s regular budget.
• Serve as a medium through which people may become acquainted and share their enthusiasm for books, films and computers.

Used Book Shop

Since autumn 1995 the Friends have operated a Used Book Shop in the library. The shop’s inventory comes from generous contributions made by the community and visitors, as well as deselected library materials. A dedicated group of volunteers operate the shop, which is located near the library’s internet computers and circulation desk. 

Used Book Shop Hours

Monday through Saturday 10 am–4 pm when volunteers are available.

Book Room Donation Guidelines

The Used Book Room has limited shelving and space. Please follow these common sense guidelines before donating books and other materials.

On days designated by the Friends (to be determined soon), you are welcome to bring in gently-used books, audio books, CDs, DVDs and videos for adults and children. Please do NOT donate items with missing covers, heavy dirt, animal residue, water or smoke damage, mold or bad smells. These items do not sell and take up much-needed space. Also, the Book Room will NOT accept X-rated films in the interest of protecting young customers.

If you have large donations or want to ensure they are within donation guidelines, please call the library first at 715-634-2161.

Activities

The Friends sponsor the following activities in support of the library:

• Used Book Shop inside the library building
• Children’s summer reading programs
• Annual book sale
• Annual newsletter and membership drive
• Library membership in the American Library Association
• Continuing education—annual contribution toward staff members’ attendance at Wisconsin Library Association Fall Conference
• Supplemental adult and children’s programming

Membership and Meetings

Make a difference in your community and your library by joining the Friends! Membership fees enable the Friends to sponsor its many activities. The Friends Board of Directors and participating members meet at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the library’s Community Meeting Room. Everyone is always welcome to attend meetings and lend their support.

Become a Friend of the library! Click here for the Friends Membership Application Form.

Friends of the Library: Officers and Board of Directors