Who are the Friends?
We are a dynamic, young-at-heart group, with a variety of interests and backgrounds. We love books, movies, music, computers, volunteering, and life! We treasure the services and programs our Library provides free of charge, work hard to support and further its development, and promote community awareness wherever possible. We greatly appreciate our Library staff and volunteers.
What do the Friends do?
What don’t we do? We organize fundraising and promotional events for our Library:
- four annual book sales (see Book Sales),
- spring book washing of our Library’s collection,
- monthly Teas on the last Friday of each month (except July and August),
- Soup and A Bun during the fall/winter months,
- raffle(s), and
- a Christmas Bake Sale – to name a few.
Book Sales – Our Major Fundraisers
On Earth Day, July 1st, during the Fall Fair and toward the end of November, the Friends organize, set up and facilitate book sales. There are a wide variety of items for sale, including fiction and non-fiction for adults, young adults, and children, magazines, audiobooks, videos, and music. These can be purchased at our events or at our Library throughout the year.
To support these sales, donations of gently-used books, magazines, videos, and audio materials are accepted and sorted throughout the year.
Helping the Community
In 2008 the Friends started the Local History section, which the Local History Group has expanded and is now housed in the old walk-in vault at our Library.
The Friends provided significant funding and volunteer support during our Library expansion and 50th Anniversary in 2011.
Friends contribute to the annual magazine drive, raise funds to provide for a yearly donation toward the enhancement of our Library’s collection, and donate funds to purchase items our Library might not otherwise be able to provide to its patrons.
Recent examples include a Daisy Reader for the visually impaired, a carpet for the Children’s reading area, a water cooler, canning and preserving items for patron use, and a patron counter, among other things.
How do I join the Friends?
Anyone can become a Friend! Join us at our Annual General Meeting or sign up at our Library or at any of our fundraising events. A membership form can be found at the Information desk in our Library. There is a $5 annual membership fee payable in April of each year (the fee is not pro-rated). We look forward to meeting you!
Meetings
6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Salmo Valley Public Library, excluding summer months. Come and bring your best fundraising ideas.