Local Org. Love: Are You a Friend of the Ferndale Library?
(It’s a thing. And you’re gonna want to be one.)
Guest View by Kate Siebenaler, Friends of the Ferndale Library, Sept. 15, 2015)
A whole bunch of smart people agree, the library is the place to be. It’s where all the world’s knowledge is available to hold in your hand, after all. And in a town like Ferndale, it’s also where to check out new CD releases by up and coming bands, rent one of thousands of movies, and bring your kids to interact with hands-on learning materials or read to a certified therapy dog. Even the library is hip in Fashionable Ferndale. And the group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Ferndale Library wants to make sure this remarkable library stays strong for our community today and in the years to come.
You’ve probably already seen some of the Friends’ contributions. Back in January the Friends purchased the new early learning materials in the Children’s Learning Center, and those fun and interactive educational materials are a big hit with kids and parents alike. The library’s Summer Reading Celebration was also sponsored by the Friends, complete with a free hot dog and ice cream picnic for young readers and their families.
But it’s not just about the kids. If you enjoyed reading creepy horror novel Bird Box (soon to be a major motion picture) by local author Josh Malerman through this year’s Ferndale Reads Program, all those copies of the novel, distributed to readers for free, were purchased by the Friends. Also the new 2015 additions to the library’s instructional DVD collection—perfect for when you want to learn something new like how to play poker, braid hair, or train your dog to do adorable things for a YouTube video. And be on the lookout for a new wave of Lucky Day Books. (Those are the brand new releases on the cart across from the circulation desk.) Thanks to another donation from the Friends, it’s your lucky day—you’ll be one of the first to read a selection hot off the major publishing house presses.
Sometimes the library needs help with not so fabulous items too. In 2015 the Friends purchased unexciting but very necessary shelving for the library’s CD section. Now you can browse the library’s gigantic music collection (local artists proudly represented) with ease.
Difficult financial times for the city meant deep cuts to the library last year. Staff positions were eliminated, Saturday hours were reduced, and on Fridays the building no longer opens at all. In response, the Friends are working harder than ever, raising more than $12,000 over the last fiscal year to support the good people, services and programming at our Ferndale Library. And you can help too.
Become a Friend yourself. A year membership is only $20 ($10 for seniors and students), which is a great value considering the perks you’ll receive in return, including a gift certificate to the library bookstore (free books!).
Let us pour you a drink. That’s right, thanks to the generous support of festival organizers, the Friends are able to host a beer tent at many of the summer events in Ferndale. Look for us at the upcoming DIY Festival September 25- 27 where we’d love to pour you a libation.
Step inside the library bookstore. You may be surprised to learn that the bookstore offers hardcover editions from popular authors like Gillian Flynn, Toni Morrison, and David Foster Wallace at $1 per book or less. Plenty of in demand paperbacks too. This is the perfect place to snag an inexpensive gift for a friend who needs a pick me up or for yourself because you always meant to read Tolstoy (also all those Janet Evanovich books).
Amazon Smile. If you’re an internet shopper, make your purchases through Amazon Smile https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-8612471. Amazon will donate a percentage of the price to the non-profit you select, such as the Friends of the Ferndale Library.
Tshirts! Tote bags! Library swag! Check out the Friends of the Ferndale Library FB page. It’s fabulous.
Get involved. Willing to pour beer or wine for a few hours at a fun Ferndale festival? Enjoy taking photos or designing graphics for tshirts and other promotional materials? Have an idea for a great fundraiser? Share your talents with the good people at the library.
Donate. When it’s time for your year-end tax planning, remember that donations to the Friends may be deductible.
Become a Friend of the Ferndale Library here http://ferndalefriends.org/ or share your ideas and talents by contacting us through our FB page. The library is the heart of any community, and together we can keep ours strong and a resource for all to enjoy.