Friends of the Barrington Library
“A good Friend is a great treasure.” Benjamin Franklin
Friends share a common belief that a thriving library is a valuable community asset that must be
nourished and supported. We are a volunteer group incorporated in 1996 as a 501©3 charitable
organization.
Mission:
- Encourage greater use of the library and its’ services
- Provide additional support through fundraising and the encouragement of gifts, endowments and memorials
- Promote volunteerism
- Help expand Library services and resources
What We Do:
- Hold annual plant sale – first Saturday in June
- Organize Mum sale – September
- Offer book sales annually
- Sponsor Raffles, Books in Bloom event and Dessert Tasting
- Apply for local donations and grants
- Provide museum reimbursements and passes
- Contribute towards maintenance of the library, both indoors and outdoors including care of gardens, construct pick-up window, repair furniture, etc
What We’ve Done:
- Raised $25,000 for the new library
- Purchased outdoor furniture and patio
- Contributed funds to buy storage shed
- Provided yearly budget for additional library resources
- Raised over $10,000 in 2024 through fundraisers
- Sponsored library Open House in 2022 and 2024
How to Join the Friends:
Click on the below links for a Friends membership application. Dues start at $5 for an individual. You can also get an application at the library.
Meetings:
Meetings are generally held the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 in the library. Exceptions: no meeting held in July, and the November/December meetings are combined. The library calendar lists the exact dates.
Since 1996, the Friends has contributed over $10,000.00 to fund annual passes to museums, and to support the Summer Reading Program, the youth audiobook collection, the Adopt*A*Magazine program, and many other resources.
In addition, the group conducts the annual perennial sale in June. Funds raised from this sale have provided equipment not supported through the tax-funded budget and we annually save funds towards helping out when a new Library is voted for by the people of Barrington.
We always welcome new Friends to help with developing new programs, fund-raising, and volunteering at the Library. The Friends generally meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Library. Meeting announcements will be posted at the Library.
Give as little or as much time as you want. Participate once a year, be active throughout the year, or work on a specific event or project. Just a little of your time and energy can make our great little Library a tremendous resource for everyone in town.
Current officers:
Please join the Friends today and help our Library thrive!
Volunteers Are Awesome!
Friends Support Programs!
