Fall is nearly here when the Friends of the Library gather for their annual membership event.

A cool evening, delicious hors ’oeuvres, cash bar and lively conversations are on tap for 5 p.m. Monday in the beautiful Greenlea Gardens, 211 South Wall St., home of Phillip and Stella Carby.

No RSVP is necessary, and, no, you don’t have to be an FOL member to come, but we hope you will be one when you leave!

You ask, “Who are the Friends of the Library and what do they do?”

We are community folks who have the common goal of supporting our library. Each September, we host a social event, “A Gathering of Friends,” to celebrate accomplishments, encourage memberships and welcome new officers and board members.

Yearly membership is affordable: individuals are $10, families are $15 and contributors are $25 or more. Last year, we enjoyed our largest membership ever, and we hope to add to that number this year.

What we do is help the library. Accomplishments of the past year include support of the Summer Library Program, genealogy research and special library events. FOL donates memorial books and gives books from the Friends room to local nursing homes and shelters.

We have purchased furniture, computers and equipment and provided funds to assist with the much needed heating and cooling system.

The Friends raise money for the Armstrong Library through sales of our very successful cookbook, “In the Company of Friends,” and through twice monthly used book sales.

In addition to book sales and membership dues, the Friends raise money with the annual Christmas Tour of homes. This popular event features private homes not normally open for tours.

While you are marking your calendar for Monday, flip over to Sunday, Dec. 8, and save that afternoon for the Christmas Tour. This year’s event showcases five homes: The homes of Linda and Jack Rodriguez, Stephanie and Robin Punches, Susan and John Hudson, Keith Carlson and Al Walker and Holly Hedges.

Join us for fun, friendship and fellowship. Come, bring a friend who is not a Friend, and support the good works of the FOL.

See you on Monday! For further information, contact the library at 601-445-8862.

 

Maria Bowser is the president of the Friends of the Library.