The Friends of the Library play an important role for the Shawano City-County Library and its branches.
“The library, including the branches, is the focal point of the community,” said Marsha Hoeffs, Friends president. “It’s for everyone.”
The Friends have helped to update computer hardware, get Kindles and Nooks for public use, add to the audio book collection and the bookmobile, sponsor the Library at 7 adult programs and the children’s summer reading program, and supply coffee.
Last year the group gave $1,500 to each of the five branches — Birnamwood, Bonduel, Mattoon-Hutchins, Tigerton and Wittenberg.
“The branches have limited funds, and the extra money is used to purchase equipment they otherwise wouldn’t be able to acquire,” Hoeffs said.
The Friends also assist with arranging and cleaning the bookshelves and the DVDs. Funds come from membership dues, donations and the yearly fundraisers, which are the book sale in June and the holiday baskets.
Each year the library director, Kristie Hauer, gives the Friends the library’s want list. Hoeffs said they usually are able to fulfill all of her requests.
Last year, the Friends helped with expenses for adult, teen and children programming, National Library Week and National Bookmobile Day activities, audio books and eBooks. They also paid for WiFi changes that provided four additional wireless access points and more WiFi stability. The changes also eliminated the monthly service charge, increased response time and eliminated labor costs when issues arise.
The Friends’ newest contribution is $5,000 for an exterior, after-hours book and media return.
The Friends’ previous contributions include computers, which are always being used.
“Whatever their means, there’s something for everybody,” Hoeffs said. “It’s a true sense of community.”
Right now, the Friends are holding a membership drive. While there are many loyal and hardworking volunteers in the group, there is a need for more. A new Friends brochure has been designed by Marlene Brath, membership chairperson, and is available in the library.
“We hope to expand them to our branches,” said Hoeffs, who invites patrons from those areas to join the group.
Yearly membership dues are $6 single, $16 family and $25 business. The Friends receive a semi-annual newsletter, have voting privileges at the annual meeting, and are invited to attend special library events.
Other officers are Anita Hartman, vice president, Geri Van De Loo, secretary, and Jean Nelson, treasurer. The group meets at 10 a.m. the second Thursday every other month in the Elsie Engel Reading Room at the Shawano City-County Library, 128 S. Sawyer St., Shawano.
For more information, call Hoeffs at 715-851-1643.
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