The Friends of the Library is an association of people interested in libraries who act as a support group to the library by sponsoring programs to promote the library within the community and by raising funds for the library to supplement the revenues provided by tax dollars.
They aim to focus public attention on the library; to stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services; to encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the library; to design and manage fundraising activities in support of library purchases; to support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community; and, to support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.
Some of the Friends’ fundraising activities have included book sales, holiday craft sales, raffles, sales of the “Let’s Reminisce” book, and other various money-making efforts.Money raised from these activities has allowed the Friends to contribute funds to the library for many items, including a new roof, the remodeling of the restroom to make it handicapped accessible, the remodeling of the children’s area, and the purchase of a memorial brick at the State Fair grounds commemorating Central Square’s World War II veterans. Other purchases have included books, supplies, equipment and bookcases.
Although they are a small group, over the years the Friends have had increasing success in helping the library better serve the community.
