Not many volunteer organizations keep the same members for 10 years, and counting, but the Peotone Friends of the Library has. This month, September 22 marks the 10th-year anniversary of coming together as lovers of books to support their local library. What started off as just volunteering to help, blossomed into a friendship group that’s stood the test of time.
They’re always looking to add friends too, literally.
The Friends of the Library’s official description is “a group of people who support the Peotone Public Library District and help the library expand its potential to serve the residents of the library district.” And while it’s a good description of their duties, it’s generic because they’ve accomplished so much more.
The Friends host the two annual book sales, generally in spring and fall. They also put out all the signs and pickup all 20+ signs advertising those book sales, which can be rather tedious.
They maintain and stock the “book sale room,” where patrons can purchase books for a free will donation. They also sort and pack books donated through library weeding out or from community donations.
The Friends also sell Fannie May candy bars for $2 per bar.
Their proceeds have contributed to many things for the library, such as furniture, a laminating machine, sponsored author visits, and donations to the summer reading program every year.
You’d think with all those book events that would be enough to keep them busy, but they volunteer even more.
They host free book giveaways at Christmas for young adults and children. They’ve donated books to the Veteran’s home, Good Shepard, retirement homes, and to classroom libraries.
Currently in the works, they are assisting with the creation of a “little free” library here in Peotone.
They stock a small library at Cornerstone Coffee House and host book giveaways and story times there, as well. They also host holiday giveaways and, if all that wasn’t enough, they even plant flowers at the library annually.
You can see members out and about at trunk-or-treats, Christmas in the Village, farmers markets, and more.
The 35-member organization pays an annual fee of $5 for a family, and plenty of them have been with the Friends eight years or more. That $5 also gets the member a half price bag full of books.
When asked what holds the group together, one word was repeated. “Friendship,” said Secretary Amy Leddy. The group agreed it that the Friends of the Library is a great way to meet new people.
“When we started, none of us knew each other. So we’ve all made friends over the years and gone to lunch and Christmas lunch together,” said Marlene Delia.
They meet every month, except July and December, at 11 a.m., but don’t worry if you can’t make a meeting. Meetings are listed in the library newsletter or on their Facebook page. They’re always looking for help – at a book sale or volunteer event, and they can provide community service hours for young people, too.
It’s also library card sign-up month, with an Amazon gift card being raffled off to the winner.
The Friends of the Library left me with a nice list of good reads, as well, such as: “Earth to Moon: A Memoir,” by Moon Zappa, “Toxic Pray,” by John Sanford, “The Wren in the Holly Library,” by K.A. Linde, “The Teacher,” by Freida McFadden, “The Cabin at the End of the World,” by Paul Tremblay, and “The Firekeeper’s Daughter,” by Angeline Boulley.