Friends of the Library
Join the Friends | Goals of the Friends | Advocacy
The Friends of the Library have always played a significant role in the success of WCPL. Their volunteerism and financial support is needed just as much today as it was in the early history of the library.
Friends make it possible for us to improve library services. Everyone should be able to enjoy the privileges of access to information, education and entertainment found in a first-class library system, and the Friends work to make this happen.
The Friends sponsor our Sunday With Friends literary series of talks by authors, now in its 20th year. Watch the 2018 videos on our Sunday With Friends page.
Our Friends of the Library are led by a Friends Board of Directors.
Click here for information on our Book Sales.
DONATE BOOKS
Click here to see our latest Friends newsletter.
Join the Friends
Pick up a membership form at any of our libraries. Memberships are good for one year.
We offer several membership levels, just pick the one that suits you best.
- Friend: $10-$24
- Good Friend: $25-49
- Best Friend: $50-$100
- Very Best Friend: $101-$999
- Friend for Life: $1,000 (lifetime membership)
- Industry or Group Life: $5,000 (lifetime membership)
Annual membership fees in excess of $10 are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
Mail the form and your check to:
Washington County Public Library
Attn: Friends Membership
205 Oak Hill Street
Abingdon, Virginia 24210
Friends’ membership includes:
- Quarterly Friends newsletter sent to your home
- Free admission to book sale preview parties
- Invitations to special library events
- The opportunity to give back to the library
- Satisfaction knowing you are helping to enhance library service for your community
Goals
- Our book sales, special events and membership dues raise money to be used for services and equipment that the library could not otherwise provide.
- To support the Library Board, staff and Library Foundation in their efforts to bring current and long-range needs of the library system to the attention of public funding authorities.
- To keep the public and media informed about special events.
- To remind local, state and federal officials of the library’s role in education, business and life in our community.
- To sponsor lectures and programs featuring speakers of interest to the community.
- To provide funds for special projects and continuing education for library staff.
- To support the Summer Reading Program and other activities for children and young adults.
- To forge better communication between the library and the public.
- To establish and maintain a network among Friends groups in Southwest Virginia.
Advocacy
The Friends have a long tradition of supporting their local library.
The Friends speak out on behalf of the library:
- as the demand for more and improved services increases;
- while budgets decrease or remain stagnant;
- when we need more money for books, buildings and staff;
- in favor of new or revised legislation supporting the public library;
- to champion your freedom to read and review library materials
Today, more than 300 Friends work to achieve these goals and assure that our library remains an essential and dynamic force in the community.