Representatives from 12 area Friends of the Library groups, including Friends of Hedberg Public Library, met on Tuesday, January 30 at the Fitchburg Public Library to share their organization’s history, swap ideas and success stories, and begin to explore challenges they face now and/or anticipate in the future.
This is believed to be the first meeting of its kind for libraries outside of the Madison Public Library system where the Friends groups have met previously.
Representatives from Black Earth, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Fitchburg, Janesville, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, and Verona participated. Topics discussed included: growing membership, fundraising events, used book sales and stores, presence at community events, volunteer participation and appreciation, and more.
A follow-up meeting of the consortium is being planned at Verona Public Library for late April. It is expected to draw additional representation from other area library Friends’ groups.
The Friends of the Library organizations are made up of individuals who are passionate about their local library and committed to raising money to supplement library programs which fall outside of the available library budget. This may include, among many other things, funding for summer reading programs, family and children's programs at the library, educational computers and other technology, and providing free books for area children.
Love your library? Learn how to become a Friend of HPL here.
Stock Up and Support Your Library!
Stock up and support your library! The Friends of HPL will host a Used Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24 in HPL's Program Room.
$6 bag sale all day Saturday!
All proceeds benefit library programs and services.