Montgomery County libraries celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Montgomery County Library System (MCMLS) will be spending the week of October 15-21 celebrating its Friends of the Library groups as part of the 12th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.

On Tuesday, October 10, Library Director Jerilynn A. Williams presented a resolution in Commissioners’ Court to thank the Friends of the Library organizations of MCMLS and officially proclaim October 15-21 as Friends of Libraries Week in Montgomery County.

“Our Library Friends groups are a vital partner in Library System efforts to enrich lives and develop life-long learners in Montgomery County,” states Director Williams. “The funds they raise help enhance the critical services and programming that MCMLS provides for the community. Support from Library Friends definitely assists in moving our libraries from good to great.”

MCMLS is comprised of 7 libraries, with 6 separate Friends of the Library groups offering support to the various locations: South Montgomery County Friends of the Library (SMCFOL) in The Woodlands, Library Friends of Conroe (LFOC), Friends of the Willis Library (FOWL), Library Friends of Charles B. Stewart-West Branch Library in Montgomery, Library Friends of R.B. Tullis Branch Library in New Caney, and the Magnolia Library Friends.

Each year, Library Friends groups in Montgomery County generously provide supplemental funding for books and other materials to be added to the library collections. They also sponsor programs and refreshments during library activities as well as “extras” not covered by the County budget. Friends have supported several one-time purchases, including a large format poster printer in The Woodlands, special seating for the expanded Youth Services area at the R.F. Meador Library in Willis, the vehicle wrap publicizing the Library System on the delivery truck and early literacy stations for several locations.

Funds are raised by the different Friends organizations through membership dues and also from revenue from used book sales. The Friends receive donations from the general public throughout the year. Items are sorted and those not needed in the circulating library collection are placed for sale in the branch’s Book Nook, online, or at the annual or semi-annual library book sales. The Library Friends of Conroe just had their fall sale earlier this month and the FOWL have scheduled the book sale at the Meador Branch in Willis for October 20-21, 2017.

“Thanks to the generous support of the Library Friends groups through their time and money, we are able to elevate our services to the community in a way that would not be possible without their help,” says Library Marketing and Program Coordinator Melissa Baker, who adds that “roughly a quarter of all library programs offered are actually paid for by the Friends of the Library, not by the County budget. Many people would be surprised to learn how many of the library services and activities they enjoy are actually supported by the Friends.”

There are multiple ways to get involved with the Friends of the Library. Volunteers are needed to staff the used book stores at various branches, to sort through donations, and to work special events and fundraisers throughout the year. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend Friends of the Library meetings, which are held at the various branches, or to contact the Friends leadership at each location.

To volunteer, or to join the Friends of the Library, visit the library branch nearest you for more information: http://countylibrary.org/locations.htm. MCMLS appreciates your support!

National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ala.org/united.