October 15-21 is National Friends of Libraries Week, honoring the volunteers who contribute their time to help enhance library services, materials, and facilities. At its last meeting, the Board of Library Trustees proclaimed the week National Friends of Libraries Week as a formal recognition of our Friends in connection with the American Library Association national celebration. Special displays around the library will highlight the resources and equipment made possible by their support.
Since 1991, the Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library District (AAPLD) have raised more than $260,000 to cover items not supported by the Library’s budget, such as Summer Reading T-shirts, employee scholarships, and 3,000+ softcover children’s books to give away at community parades. The Friends were integral in bringing cutting-edge technology to the Library with the purchase of a MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printer in 2014. Their popular annual Fall Book Sale is right around the corner on November 2-5 at the Eastgate Branch Library.
Currently, there are more than 20 AAPLD Friends actively volunteering with fundraising efforts that include their popular book sales held in the spring, summer and fall. They are also active supporters of The Literacy Connection (Elgin, Ill.), participating in its annual Trivia Bee and other events.
Executive Director Stephen Bero notes that the Friends of the Library play an integral role in serving the community. “Our Friends walk the talk of supporting the library in everything they do,” he says. “We are grateful for their service and their support of all library staff.”
Friends' membership is open to library district residents high school age and older. Learn more about what they do, how they do it and how you can help at their meetings at 11:30am on the first Tuesday of the month at Eastgate. Questions? Click here or contact Jim Golden at 847-658-8996 or eflut@yahoo.com.
