“Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.” — Herodotus
From October 15–21, libraries across the country are celebrating the 18th annual National Friends of Libraries Week—and we invite you to join us in recognizing all those who support our libraries year-round.
Friends of the Library groups, library trustees, foundations, and local volunteers form the backbone of our public libraries. They advocate, raise funds, organize events, and promote the joy of reading and learning. Their efforts help libraries grow stronger and more connected to their communities.
These partnerships remind us that libraries thrive through friendship and collaboration. Becoming a Friend of the Library is a meaningful way to give back—and a great way to make new friends. Friends groups are always eager to welcome new members and volunteers who share a love for libraries and community.
If your library already has a Friends group, consider joining or taking a moment to thank them for their contributions. If your library doesn’t yet have one—like the Geraldine E. Anderson Village Library in Dresser—perhaps you could help start one! Learn more about forming or joining a Friends group through United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association: www.ala.org/united.
As author C.S. Lewis once said, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”
This October, celebrate the friends—old, new, and soon-to-be—who help make our libraries and communities thrive.