GCL Salutes Friends of the Library

October 19-26 is Friends of the Library appreciation week. The friends are currently busy moving into their new headquarters in our new addition (no opening date set, but we'll keep you posted), but Friends president Fran Lancaster took a few minutes to sit down with us and tell us a little about the FOL and what they do.

Q: What is the Friends of the Library?
Fran: We're an organization that supports the library by selling donated books.

Q: How does Friends of the Library help GCL?
Fran: All the money we earn from the booksale room and the annual booksale goes into library projects. We've funded Adam Webb's gaming programs, best seller book rentals, and many programs for the Children's Library, including the Summer Reading Program, character costume rentals, and dance and art classes.

Q: How is the Friends of the Library organized?
Fran: Loosely! Actually, we have a board with 22 or 23 members who make the executive decisions and 10 to 12 regular volunteers who work about 8 hours a week, except during the annual booksale, when everyone works more. I'm just a book toter! We also have 650 members who pay five dollars for a membership and a number of life members who pay a hundred dollars.

Q: How can someone become a member?
Fran: Anyone can join by filling out a form any time the library is open. The five dollar membership entitles the member to attend the first, members-only day of the annual booksale the first weekend in May.


Q: How does one go about making a book donation?
Fran: We're always glad to have books on any topic in good condition. We also accept VHS tapes, DVDs and other items. People who want to donate can bring them to the library any time it's open and someone will help them bring the items in. All donations are tax deductible.

Q: How do you like the new Friends' sale room?
Fran: We're very fortunate to have been drawn into the new addition by the Library's board. It's a bright, beautiful environment and we have more space. On a rainy day like today, it's also a great place for people to sit with a book and watch the rain.


We'd like to thank Fran and all the Friends for all their hard work and we hope to see all of you in the new Booksale Room as soon as it opens.