Fall is nearly here when the Friends of the Library gather for their annual membership event. A cool evening, delicious hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and lively conversations are on tap for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at the home of Lucy Miller and Skip Denet, 307 N. Union St. No RSVP is necessary, and, no, you don’t have to be a Friends of the Library 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 their library. Each September, we host a social event, “A Gathering of Friends,” to celebrate accomplishments, encourage memberships and welcome new officers. Membership is affordable: individuals are $10, families are $15 and contributors are $25 or more. Last year we enjoyed our largest membership ever.

What we do is help the library. For example, we: helped sponsor the Chocolate Milk Café for young writers during the NLCC and the eighth poetry contest for third and fourth graders; supported the Summer Library Program; donated memorial books; supported genealogy research with renewal of the online database Heritage ProQuest; furnished the Dr. Tillman Memorial Reading Room; contributed to the Library Teen Room; funded the digitization of library records; and more.

The membership directory was updated and mailed. The Friends raised money for the Armstrong Library through sales of our very successful cookbook, “In the Company of Friends.” Also, we held twice-monthly used book sales.

In addition to book sales and membership dues, the Friends of the Library raise money for the Armstrong Library 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 Sept. 13, please mark Sunday, Dec. 5 and save that afternoon for the Christmas Tour. This year’s event showcases four homes: The Cavin House (formerly King’s Daughters Home), The Stahlman Condominium; The Perkins & Adams House; and the Wilbourn House.

This year’s gathering marks the end of my two-year term as president and the beginning of Maria Bowser’s presidency. 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 Sept. 13! For further information, contact the library at 601-445-8862.

Lucy Miller is the president of the Friends of the Library.