By shannon geisen
sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Bookworms are essential to the Park Rapids Area Library – especially the “Friendly” kind.
For the past 35 years, book-loving community members passionate about libraries have served with the Friends of the Park Rapids Library, a volunteer, nonprofit organization.
Friends are most visible during quarterly book sales, but they are busy all year long.
“Besides book sales, the Friends of the Library help in countless other ways,” said librarian Jodi Schultz.
“The group provides funding and volunteer help for library program for both children and adults alike. They donate their time to organize the shelves, wash children’s books and do whatever other task we find that fit them.”
Organized in 1980, Friends of the Library advocates for the library to increase support for its services, purchases books and new equipment, campaigns for legislation and financial support for the library (donations, memorials, endowment contributions, etc.), assists library staff and sponsors events which broaden the cultural life of the community.
Friends host a pie sale each July and install a Christmas Giving Tree, among other things, to raise library funds.
Even newborns are greeted by the Friends. Upon arrival in the hospital, each baby receives a new boardbook, bookmark, and a coupon for another book. Parents receive a pamphlet encouraging reading to their children.
Friends are also setting aside funds for a long-term project: a new library.
“We’ve been funding the Park Rapids Library Foundation in hopes that, one day, we’ll get a new library,” said Friends treasurer Sue Keller.
As part of that process, a “space needs assessment” will soon be conducted, said Schultz.
Friends of the Library meet the first Thursday of every month 9:30 a.m. in the library basement meeting room.
Membership is simple: $10 for a single person or $20 for a family. The annual dues are tax deductible.
Here are some fun, Friendly facts:
n The group’s youngest member is 13 years old. The oldest is around 85 years young.
n One member received her first library card 71 years ago and has had one every since.
n Friends of the Library are active volunteers, participating in Kinship, PEO, local church groups, Meals on Wheels, Sons of Norway, Itasca Park Ministry and St. Joseph’s Auxiliary.
n Besides Minnesota, members have lived in California, South Dakota, Nebraksa, Iowa, Massa- chusetts, Texas, Arizona, Montana, Oregon, Ohio, Florida, Canada and Italy. One is a Swiss citizen.
n Some of the past or current professions of Friends include teacher, office manager, librarian, bookseller, naturopathic doctor, attorney, Italian tour guide and student.
n One member learned to ride a unicycle when she was 10.
n One member worked at a Dairy Queen for 95 cents per hours and believes it was the cause of her ice cream addiction.
n One member has watched the Nascar Sprint Cup since 1964.
“The varied backgrounds and experiences contribute to the richness of the group,” said Schultz. “Their shared passion for libraries and their desire to contribute to their community bring them together in mission.”
For more information, call the library at 732-4966.
