About the Friends
The Friends of the DeKalb Public Library believe in the importance of a strong, relevant and well-funded library. The Friends support the library by raising funds to provide programs, materials, and services that are not part of the regular library budget. The Friends also assist the library staff with ongoing collection development and special projects. In order to serve as a vibrant link between the library staff and the public, members are welcome to volunteer at various library events.
Friends Make a Difference!
Your Friends membership dues help to provide necessary funding for library programs, materials and services.
The Friends hold twice yearly in-house book sales in April and October and have a small, on-going sale of books on the shelves in the lower level lobby. We accept donated books from the community and recycle them to new readers at affordable prices.
The Friends participate in the annual Give DeKalb County event coordinated by DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnerships https://dcnp.org/.
Here are some examples of the support that the Friends have been able to provide during the last year through these and other fundraising efforts:
- Over $1,400.00 for spring break and summer reading programs in the Youth Services department
- Over $200.00 for the Book Babies program
- Over $350.00 to support the Adult Services summer reading program
- $2,000.00 for the purchase of 2 dodo bird seats and a Brio-Train table for the new children’s room
Friends also assist library staff with special projects, such as funding the preservation of the oldest known (1859) DeKalb County plat book. This invaluable document has been copied (both hard copy and digital) and has been made available to the citizens of DeKalb.
The Friends meet on the first Monday of every month (unless it is a holiday, in which case it will be the second Monday) at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Please read the meeting minutes from the Friends of the Library.
Current Officers
- Alice Hall, President
- Donna Gable, Vice President
- Dorothy Thorsen, Treasurer
- Deborah Booth, Secretary
Book Sales
The Friends conduct an ongoing book sale on the shelves in the lower level hallway of the library, between the elevators and the stairway. A price list is posted next to the shelves, and you can pay for your selections at the main circulation desk on the first floor. The stock of books is routinely rotated and replenished by our volunteers, so check back whenever you’re in the library!
As one of our main fundraising efforts, the Friends periodically conduct large-scale sales of books, CDs, and DVDs.
Our next big sale is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 19, 20, and 21, 2018.
Donations
Since its inception in 2002, the Friends have provided over $50,000 in supplemental funding to the DeKalb Public Library in support of its wide-ranging efforts to promote literacy in our community. A significant portion of these funds have been generated by the book sales conducted by the Friends, so the generous donations of materials by community members play a very important role in our work to help the library.
The Friends will be happy to accept your used books, CDs, and DVDs, and to recycle them to new owners! Items must be in good, clean, and saleable condition. We do not accept encyclopedias, textbooks, record albums, or magazines.
Dues and donations to Friends of the DeKalb Public Library are tax deductible per IRS code 501 (c) (3).
Become a Friend
To become a member of the Friends of the DeKalb Public Library please complete this form.
You will receive your membership card in the mail. Present the card for one free book during each Friends of the Library book sale. Membership renewal letters are mailed to members early in the calendar year, regardless of the date you became a member. Please renew annually!
