If you’ve ever been to our library book sale, enjoyed the refillable water bottle station, or recently brought in a young one to play with our new children’s toys, then you can thank the Friends of the Library.

The Friends of the Library is a group of community members who support the library by volunteering their time and talent. The more, the merrier! The Friends are seeking more friends to join their organization, particularly those who are interested in being active within the group.

Read on to learn more about the Friends and why you should join.

Almost all public libraries have a Friends of the Library group. Friends play a vital role in supporting library services and promoting library use. Being a part of the Friends of the Library means not only contributing to the library but to the community at large.

Who are the Friends of the Library?

The Friends is a group made of people just like you. They are members of the community who love the library, want to support its goals and mission. They work in their spare time to raise funds for the library over and above the library’s state and local funding. The Friends of Reed Memorial Library is also a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

What do the Friends of the Library do?

• Organize donated books and materials for sale
• Manage the year-round Friends of the Library bookstore (open during library hours)
• Host twice-yearly large sales of used books, music, and movies
• Raise funds for library improvements and programs
• Sponsor cultural events for the community
• Promote the library through word-of-mouth

Friends of the Library are also permitted “sneak peek” early access to the twice-yearly book sales the evening before they open to the public.

At the moment, the Friends have so many donated items that they are out of room and can’t accept new donations. If you have books you would like to donate, please use the contact form on the Friends web page or call to see if they have resumed accepting donations. Please do not bring donations directly to the library staff, as there may not be room to store them.

How do I become a Friend of the Library?

To become a Friend of the Library, there is a small membership fee. You can choose among a 2-year, 5-year, or lifetime fee, and you can join as an individual or a family. Seniors receive a discount. Membership must be paid with either cash or check.

Visit the Friends of the Library page on our website at https://reedlibrary.org/friends-of-rml to learn more and access the contact form. You can also pick up a Friends of the Library brochure containing an application form at the Public Services desk or in the Friends of the Library bookstore on our lower level.