Friends of the Library

Pipestone County Star 10-24-2013

This week is National Friends of Libraries week!!  Libraries always need friends.  And most libraries also need Friends, a library-specific group of people that work hard to support the library’s needs.  For Pipestone, that group is the Pipestone Area Friends of the Library.

Why does a library need friends?  Because there’s only so much the library staff can get done on their own.  A friends group supports quality library service in their community through a large variety of ways:

·         They help with fund-raising – if they are a 501(c)3, then any donation made to them is tax deductible, unlike donations made straight to some libraries.

·         They help with volunteering – sometimes extra hands are needed for special events and the friends group usually helps with that.

·         They advocate for the library and the programs sponsored by the library – they help spread the word about what the library is currently working on.

·         Friends groups also help with long-term planning for the library, both with physical help and financial support of projects, and are kept in the loop about those projects.  They also maintain a liaison to the Library Board, which means they are included in all library decisions.

Friends groups are invaluable to the library.  Not only are they a group of smiling, supportive faces, they work hard to make sure that the library’s special needs are met, thereby taking good care of the community.  A large friends group means even more programs and services available to the people of the town or county in which the library functions.

In Pipestone, the Friends group hosts an annual book sale in December which helps to fund special projects.  They also apply for united Way money to help with the Summer Reading program, offer special programs and authors for patrons, and assist with special events that the library hosts.   They are an amazing group of people.

Pipestone Area Friends of the Library is always looking for new members.  If you want to participate in volunteering or just want to give financially, you are more than welcome to join!  We have membership cards out at the library or you can mail membership fees (listed below) to PAFL, 1401 7^th Street SW, Pipestone, MN 56164.

PAFL Membership Fees

·         Student $5

·         Individual $20

·         Family $30

·         Benefactor $100

·         Life $250

·         Patron $500

PAFL  will be having a fundraiser at the Pipestone Pizza Ranch on Wednesday, October 30^th, from 4:30 until 8:00 PM.  From 4:30 until 5:00, the library will be having a craft activity for any interested children to celebrate the season.  Come join us for great food and a spooky fun craft to take home with you!

Book Club Reminder: The book club meets the fourth Thursday (my apologies that the past few months have said Tuesday) of the month and the next meeting will be October 24^th.  The next book is In The Woods by Tana French.  If you don’t have a copy, let the library know and we would be happy to order one for you.  Everyone is welcome!!

If you have questions or have a book you’d like to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (507) 825-6714.  The hours for Meinders Library are Monday through Thursday from 10 AM – 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.  Meinders Community Library is located at 1401 7^th Street SW, on the south side of the high school.