Friends of the Library are friends in deed

February is always a very special month for us at the Halton Hills Public Library. It is "We Love our Friends" month, a time when we say thank you to our fabulous Friends of the Library for all they do for us each year. The Friends of the Halton Hills Library is a non-profit, charitable organization whose main objectives is to promote awareness of the library, to advocate for resources and high quality library services, to raise funds for special library projects, and to encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the library. And let me tell you, they do a simply incredible job! Since the spring of 2003 they have raised close to $16,000 from used-book sales alone. In addition, they have held silent auctions, special presentations, penny jar collections, book bag sales, Halloween gift certificate sales, and much, much more, resulting in well over $25,000 of financial support for the library. All this fundraising has been put to excellent use. The Friends of the Library have bought many new books, audiobooks and DVDs, all of which anyone with a library card can borrow; they have purchased new furniture, shelving and display cases that make our libraries not only more functional but also more beautiful; and they have funded special children's programming supplies, helping us to make our youngest members' library experience that extra bit special.

So many things that we enjoy in our libraries today, we owe to the hard work of our very special Friends. Becoming a part of this intrepid team of volunteers can be a rewarding experience. It can be a wonderful chance to meet other people while building your own leadership and advocacy skills. It can also be an opportunity to become involved with your community and help the library to be a vital and integral part of life in Halton Hills. For more information, please visit the Friends/Donors page of our website (www.library.hhpl.on.ca), phone the library at 905-873-2681 ext. 2513 or ask at any desk next time you visit. In closing, I would like to extend a huge "thank you" on behalf of all library staff to the Friends of the Halton Hills Public Library for all you have done, all the money you have raised, all the fabulous things you have funded, all of your friendly hellos as you drop in for your meetings, and your continued advocacy and moral support. It is you who have made us feel loved!