This week is National Friends of the Library Week, so I asked myself, “Does the community really know who and what the Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is and does for the library?” I am guessing the answer for the some of the community is “NO.’’ So, here is a bit of background information about the Friends, and how you can be involved with this wonderful organization.

The Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is a nonprofit organization (501c3) that was established over 32 years ago by a group of faithful library volunteers. Its main focus is to advocate for the library and fundraise dollars to help support library programs and services. We host four large books sales each year and 1 mini sale before the Christmas holiday. The funds from these sales support art exhibits, Youth Services programs, adult reading programs, volunteer/staff appreciation events and other non-service needs of the library. We also coordinate and support two literacy programs separate from the library: “Books for Babies” and “Give a Kid a Book.” Both of these programs give new books to children in the Chippewa Valley and encourage early reading.

If you are wondering how you can support this organization and its wonderful group of volunteers here are a few ways:

1. Become a Friend of the Library by visiting our website.
2. Support one of their literacy program with a monetary donation. Donate to Give a Kid a Book here. Donate to Books for Babies here.
3. Become a Friends of the Library volunteer. We offer numerous volunteer opportunities and are always looking for more help. All of our volunteer opportunities can be examined using this link.
4. Continue using all the programs and services that the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library offers and offer feedback in ways we can improve your experience.

The Friends of the Library is focused on encouraging the community to become active users of the library. We want to build a community of leaders. 

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

~Margaret Fuller