About the Friends

Who are the Friends?

The purpose of the Friends of the Adamstown Area Library is to maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries, to focus public attention on library services and needs, to stimulate gifts of books for the purpose of resale, to foster volunteerism, and to enrich library resources through fundraising projects.

Our dedicated Friends group has always been inspired to work diligently for our projects, knowing the impact we have on the library services offered. Between 1996 and 2022, we donated $864,317 to the library.  The funds were raised through many varied and sometimes unusual projects. Our main focus remains on our annual book sale, basket bingo, and the annual Bucks for Books dinner and auction.

In 2016, the Friends gave $100,000 to kick-start the Capital Campaign for the new library.  Since then, the Friends have also given $25,000 for the Tranquility Garden, $25,000 for the Reading Room tables and chairs, an additional $25,000 for the Capital Campaign in 2019, $4,000 for furniture for the Children’s Room, and $8,000 for electric HP front doors for the new library.  In 2022, the Friends purchased 2 tables for the conference room, 4 rolling carts, outdoor play equipment for rental, and a 3D printer.  $3,675 was raised at the Bucks for Books Dinner/Auction in 2018 and 2019 specifically for the Capital Campaign.  Additionally, all of the Amazon on-line book sales, which totaled $12,981 through 2022, are dedicated to the Capital Campaign.

Our annual report shows over 75 activities that we have held or sponsored over our history as well as donations to the library other than financial aid. Of course, without your wonderful support and the caring community, this would not have happened.

Why the Friends are Important

Because library services are vital to life-long learning for all ages, and to community stability and revitalization.

Because our library is a rich community resource.

Because the library budget does not cover all of the collections, programs, and equipment needs of our service areas.

 

What the Friends Do

Promote the library and its educational, informational, cultural, and literacy resources.

The Friends is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to promoting the interests of the library.

The Friends are tasked with raising funds to supplement the library’s budget to provide enhanced services to the more than 30,000 residents of the Boroughs of Adamstown and Denver and the Townships of Brecknock, East Cocalico, and West Cocalico.

What the Friends Provide

Community Strengthening – Serving as a conduit for people throughout our service area to enrich each other and the communities.

Programs – Enable the library to provide a wide variety of adult and children’s programs such as:

  • “Air Force One” by John Haigh

  • Art exhibits

  • Civil War Lectures

  • Computer and technology classes

  • Death, Grief and Bereavement

  • Evening Presentation about Winterthur, the du Pont Family estate in Delaware

  • F & M’s Star lab “Night Sky Tour”

  • Family Place Parent/Adult workshops

  • Fire in the Glen – Celtic Music

  • Genealogy workshops

  • German language classes

  • History lectures

  • History of Hats, Part 2

  • Lancaster County Bee Keepers Association

  • Music programs

  • PA Humanities programs

  • Photoshop classes

  • Puppet shows

  • Robert Grim Art Exhibit

  • Shakespeare Program at Cocalico High School

  • Spanish classes

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math programs

  • Sundance Film Festival

  • Summer Reading Program

  • Weaving, calligraphy, and quilting demonstrations

Collection Development – Supplement the library’s funds for books, CDs, DVD’s, and other materials to serve the communities and their needs.

Resources and Equipment – Raise funds for library needs such as:

  • 3D printer
  • 42-in TV
  • Audio books on CD and DVDs
  • Bookcases, furniture, and fixtures
  • CD and DVD cases
  • Computer station chairs
  • Ellison Die Cut Machine, rug, bulletin board in the children’s area
  • E-Reader
  • Four book carts
  • Magazine and newspaper racks
  • Magazine racks
  • New chairs for the circulation desk
  • New circulation desk
  • New outdoor book drop
  • Outdoor play equipment for rental
  • Photocopier, digital cameras, easel
  • Projector
  • STEM materials
  • Two conference room tables

Volunteer Opportunities – Augment the staff.

Advocacy – Increase the awareness of the library as a vital part of our communities.