Friends of the Library

Dalton-Whitfield Friends Calhoun-Gordon Friends Chatsworth-Murray Friends

General Information about Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Library are non-profit organizations that work to support libraries by raising funds, promoting and advocating for the libraries in the community. Friends are members of the community who are committed to the development and support of a quality, community-oriented public library system. They are a strong voice for the message that accessible library service is not a luxury, but a necessity in every community.

 

What do Friends do?

Typically, Friends support libraries in a variety of ways:

  • Raise private funds for the library
  • Support children’s and teen programs
  • Sponsor cultural and literary programs
  • Collect, organize, and sell donated materials
  • Promote library advocacy in the community and on legislative issues
  • Procure new books, materials, and equipment not provided for through the regular library budget

 

Friends of the Library Book Sales

The Friends groups host used book sales to help raise money for their libraries. These sales can be events or they can be perpetual sales. Keep an eye on the Event Calendar for any book sale events.

  • The Dalton-Whitfield Friends of the Library group hosts a sale on the first Saturday of each month in the lower part of the library; masks are required at this time.
  • Calhoun-Gordon’s Friends of the Library group has an annual sale in the spring and occasionally a sale in the fall.
  • Chatsworth-Murray’s Friends of the Library group has some shelves at the library that community members can purchase from any time the library is open.

 

How do Friends promote the library?

The Northwest Georgia Regional Library system libraries receive their funding from the federal government, the state, the county, the city, and the school boards of their communities. Each year, there is a budgeting process, which leads to decisions regarding the amount of money the library receives from their funding sources. Friends of the Library members are called to actively participate in the processes by attending public meetings and contacting their elected officials by phone, mail, or email and voicing their support for adequate funding for our library system.

 

How do I become a Friend?

Membership is open to individuals, families, and organizations interested in promoting the enhancement of the local library. Dues go towards the support of the library. There are several levels of membership:

  • Student: $2.00 – $5.00
  • Individual: $10.00 – $15.00
  • Family: $20.00 – $25.00
  • Supporter: $50.00 – $75.00
  • Patron: $100.00
  • Business: $225.00 – $250.00
  • Sustaining: $500.00
  • Benefactor: $1,000.00

To join, you can drop by the library, fill out a form and then mail it in with your dues. Dues do vary slightly between groups, so please check the levels at your preferred library.

 

Who Runs the Friends?

Each library’s Friends of the Library group is run by an elected board of Friend’s Members. Each official serves a two-year term. Meeting times and dates vary by location.

 

Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library – Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library relies on the generosity of patrons, residents, and businesses to help them achieve their mission of supporting the public library. Through donations of money, time, experience, and books, they make it possible to engage the private and public sector in an important and continuing conversation about the need to maintain and grow the library system. They believe that information in all forms should be easily accessible, free, and available to all children, teens, and adults regardless of race, religion, education, or economic standing. To quote one of the founders of the nation, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1829), “Information is the currency of Democracy.”

The Friends of the Library are always seeking volunteers to help with fundraising, work days, membership, advocacy, author visits and more.

C/O Friends of the Library
Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library
310 Cappes Street
Dalton, GA 30720
706-876-1360

Connect with the Friends on Facebook

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Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library – Friends of the Library

Friends of the Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library is an organization whose members share a belief that a strong public library is a valuable intellectual, cultural, educational, and recreational resource in the community. Friends bring together involved, caring people who are interested in enriching the library. The Friends of the Library is a 501(c)(3) organization, so dues and donations may be tax-deductible (please contact your accountant for more information).

C/O Friends of the Library
Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library
100 N Park Avenue
Calhoun, GA 30701
706-624-1456

Connect with the Friends on Facebook

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Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library – Friends of the Library

Membership in the Friends of the Library organization will help buy books for the library’s shelves. The Friends of the Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library is a tax-exempt organization.

The Friends of the Library are always seeking volunteers to help with fundraising, membership, bake sales, caring for the grounds, and general assistance.

C/O Friends of the Library
Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library
706 Old Dalton Ellijay Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706-695-4200

Connect with the Friends on Facebook

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