Thanks to Friends of Lombard library

Oct. 21 to Oct. 27 is National Friends of Libraries Week. I want to thank our wonderful volunteer group, The Friends of the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library.

The library opened its doors in 1928, and the Friends of the Library has been in existence almost since the beginning. This organization is a group of concerned people who are interested in the development and promotion of library services to the community. They help us in so many ways, not only through fundraising, but also in providing much hands-on assistance. They conduct our semi-annual book sales, and keep our continuous book sale shell in the lobby stocked with used books. For many years, they have conducted two book discussion groups each month, and sometimes provide free copies of the books. They organize the wreath-decorating contest at the end of the year, and arrange for the monthly displays in the lobby display case. They host many of our cultural programs, and arrange for sales of postcards of Lilacia Park, which we sell at the front desk. Finally, some Friends volunteer their time to help with special projects.

The funds they raise, mainly through book sales, have paid in this past year for cultural programs, recognition of the Lilac Princesses, prizes to winners of the wreath contest, the bookmark contest, the children's poetry contest, and our adult, teen and children's summer reading programs. They have also funded refreshments for our National Library Week booth, a speaker who portrayed Mark Twain, Lyric Opera lectures, and our decorated tree at Brookfield Zoo.

Sixteen officers and committee chairs work under the guidance of Friends President Barb Madigan. We deeply appreciate all the work that they do. Our library is a better place because of our "Friends". Visit their Web page at http://plum.lib.il.us/library_friends.shtml and consider joining!

Robert A. Harris

Director, Helen M. Plum Memorial Library

Lombard