Davenport, Iowa, October 21, 2012 -- During the week of October 21-27, 2012, the Davenport Library and its FRIENDS of the Library will be celebrating the accomplishments of the FRIENDS group as part of the sixth annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.
The FRIENDS of the Davenport Library were established in 1983 and have raised well over $6.5 million dollars for the library to date, including $5.675 million dollars to help build the Eastern Avenue Branch which opened in July 2010 and the Fairmount Branch that opened in January of 2006. Currently over 200 community members contribute annually to the FRIENDS. The FRIENDS of the Library operates used bookstores at each branch, recently completed a book sale, and is hosting its second "Chair-ity" auction at the Eastern Avenue Branch on November 10th.
The FRIENDS provide financial support to the Library for programs and resources that are not paid by tax dollars. Programs with which the FRIENDS assists include the summer reading program, author visits, special family programming, Santa at the Library, teen programming and the bi-monthly newsletter.
"The FRIENDS of the Library is a vital volunteer group for the library. More than 75 volunteers assist customers monthly in its two bookstores plus the Main Library's book sale area. They work on fundraising throughout the year" said Library Director LaWanda Roudebush.
The Friends Board is made up of volunteers from the community that meets once a month. Officers include President Ian Russell, Vice President Carollyn Gehrke, Secretary Cari Rieder, Treasurer Laura Hoss, and Immediate Past President Tim Reier. If you would like to become a FRIEND of the Davenport Library, or would like to become a Board Member, please contact the FRIENDS library liaison at 328-6837.
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