Kindred Spirits and Bosom Friends

I must have read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery dozens of times growing up and I still have a tattered, well-worn copy on my bookshelf that I periodically read. Anne with an “E” was a character that I could easily relate to and I would lose myself in her shenanigans. She also taught me a lot about friendship. What person hasn’t wondered at some point in his or her life, as Anne did shortly after arriving at Green Gables, if they would find a “bosom friend?” When questioned what a bosom friend is, Anne replies: “A bosom friend—an intimate friend, you know—a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my innermost soul. I’ve dreamed of meeting her all my life.”

Volunteers setting up for the quarterly book sales

Two years ago, I started working for the Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library not knowing a lot about the organization prior to my employment. I was blown away at the number of “kindred spirits and bosom friends” the library had. From the hundreds of members that contribute financially to the almost 200 volunteers that work hard on programs and events, it’s safe to say that there are a lot of people in our community who care about the library. I have also known several people who have made lifelong friendships through volunteering with the Friends.

Rachael and baby Evalyn receive a Books for Babies literacy kit

But what exactly does the Friends do?

The Friends donates around $20,000 each year to the library for programs and special projects that they would not be able to do based on City funding alone. Besides revenue from memberships, the quarterly book sale at the library and online book sale is a well-oiled machine that provides significant funding for the Friends as well as many volunteer opportunities. The Friends of the Library runs several programs such as Give a Kid a Book that ensures every child in need receives a brand new book during the holiday season and Books for Babies that delivers literacy kits to new babies and their families at Sacred Heart and Mayo Clinic hospitals.

These are just a few examples of the wonderful programs the Friends are involved in. Check out our recently updated website for Friends events, more programs and how you can become a Friend through donating or volunteering opportunities.

The Friends donated funds to purchase the public scanner that is used daily!

Items Youth Services was able to purchase with Friends’ financial support

Anne also said, “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” One can definitely find many kindred spirits at the Friends of the Library and I encourage you to become one!

Check out Friends of the Library website: https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/friends/

Check out Anne of Green Gables from the MORE Online Catalog for some fun summer reading!