Come help the Friends of the Irmo Branch Library celebrate the 18th annual National Friends of Libraries Week from October 15-21.
Friends members, former members and the public are invited to an opening celebration from 2 – 4 pm this Sunday, October 15, in the Mungo Community Room of the Irmo Branch Library, 6251 St. Andrews Road.
Come meet old Friends, make new friends and learn how the Friends support the Irmo Branch Library. Light refreshments will be served.
During the week, the Friends of the Irmo Branch Library will present programs and services that celebrate the year-round dedication of the Friends of the Library and promote membership, including displays, contests and special activities for young readers during the library’s story times Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Irmo Mayor Barry Walker has proclaimed October 15-21 as Friends of Libraries week in the town of Irmo.
The Friends of the Irmo Branch Library, founded in 1989, is a 100 percent volunteer-based 50l(c)3 organization of more than 100 community members whose mission is to assist the library as it works to increase library services, provide easier access to library resources, increase community awareness of library services and support and develop trained, knowledgeable staff. The Friends provide supplemental funding for library services and volunteer to assist with library programs. The intent is to keep the events in the library free by covering all the little things that the library can’t buy. They also support scholarship opportunities for youth volunteers working in the library.
Major fundraising efforts include used book sales and an annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater performance every summer.
“Public libraries and the free and unfettered access to all books are critical to a healthy, functioning democracy. I’m proud of the hard work that the library staff and all of our wonderful volunteers put in to continue to make the Irmo Branch Library a special place,” said C. Grant Jackson, president of the Friends of the Irmo Branch Library.
Visit www.friendsoftheirmobranchlibrary.org to learn more about the Friends, and to find out how to become a member.
National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with about 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ala.org/united.
Irmo Mayor Barry Walker (right) presented a proclamation to Friends of the Irmo Branch Library President C. Grant Jackson declaring October 15-21 Friends of Libraries Week in the town.
