The Gilmer County Library could use a few new friends, confirmed the president of a local group of volunteers that raises funding for the library.
“We’re trying to increase our membership, and get a little more energy and commitment from people,” said Nan Flickinger, Friends of the Gilmer Library (FOGL) president.
Little in-person events and programming have been presented at the library since the pandemic began last year, but the Friends are getting back into swing as of late with more live programming being scheduled.
“With COVID, we kind of got stagnant. We had Zoom meetings, but now we’re trying to get all members on the board as engaged as possible,” Flickinger said. “We’re assigning tasks and creating committees so everyone can be fully engaged in some aspect of what we do.”
Twelve new advocacy committees have been formed with such focus areas as fundraising, membership, advocacy, staff appreciation and publicity, while a new FOGL policy handbook provides job descriptions and bylaws for the group, Flickinger noted.
“The people who’ve volunteered for these different committees have stepped right up and they’re really embracing that. They’re taking it on,” she added.
Volunteering can be as simple as arranging for snacks or food to be provided at a library event, Flickinger noted.
“Our library provides so many programs and services for our community. It’s a pleasure to be able to help support them,” said Galen Forbes, a current FOGL board member and retired local educator.
Another avenue for volunteering is by working a shift at The Bookshelf, a used book resale shop inside the library. Friends of the Library take turns running the shop, where used books and magazines for all ages can be found for prices ranging from 25¢-$2.
Donations of gently used books, which are sorted through by the Friends and sold either at The Bookshelf or online at FOGL’s Amazon store, have dropped off during the pandemic, Flickinger said. Book donations are welcome and can be left at the library’s front desk, she noted.
“We always need people to help at The Bookshelf. All the money we get through The Bookshelf and Amazon, we give to the library,” Flickinger said.
Branch manager Alex Thomerson said the Gilmer County Library, located at 268 Calvin Jackson Drive, will host its annual Friends of the Library Week Oct. 17-23.
“We are very grateful for everything FOGL does to support the library. It is through their support that we are able to offer a strong collection of materials for our patrons to enjoy,” he said.
Anyone who opens a new FOGL membership or renews an existing one during the special week will be able to enter a drawing for a library prize bag.
“The Friends help us with library programming and devote countless hours to managing the library bookstore. It’s a great way to support your local library and even make a few new friends of your own,” Thomerson said.