What do the Friends of the Library Do?
The Friends of the Library offer support in the form of assistance and/or funding in order to further the goals of the public library, including working at book sales and other fundraisers, purchasing new books and program materials, providing speakers, marketing, plus general support of library staff and events. They also serve as volunteers for library programs and initiatives.
In short, the Friends are responsible for:
- Supporting large library programs and initiatives financially.
- Running the bookstore behind the library.
- General fundraising in support of library programs and events.
- Raising awareness in the community of library services and programs.
- Volunteering to assist in library functions.
In the past couple of years, your Friends group has taken the initiative to:
- Cut out, strung, and hung 2,977 butterflies as a memorial to the lives lost on September 11
- Cut out, strung, and hung 1,000 doves in honor of the living local veterans for Veteran’s Day
- Provided books and tote bags for the local detention center to assist in expanding their on-premises library
- Provided books to Head Start to expand their on-premises library
- Sponsored the monthly Chair Yoga program so that patrons would be able to attend at no cost
Did you know . . . the Friends of the Casey County Public Library were awarded the Outstanding Friends Group award for 2023 for their exceptional work and dedication in supporting their local library!
Friends of the Library Programs and Initiatives
Want to learn more about what your friends are doing? Click on an option to find out more, including how you can get involved!
Apple Festival
The next Apple Festival will be September 22 and 23, 2023. The Friends group will have a booth set up and will be selling mystery bags of books.
Earth Day
The Friends always provide support during Earth Day, including volunteers as well as financial support. The next Earth Day will be April 22, 2023, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM with a rain date of April 29. This year, the Friends will have their own booth, where they will provide free plants, including succulents and tomato plants, for community members who stop by the library during the program.
Monthly Movies
Your Friends sponsor the monthly movies on the first Saturday at 10:30 AM and the fourth Friday at 6:00 PM. These are family-friendly movies that everyone in the community is invited to. The Friends not only pay for the license to show these movies, but they also provide popcorn for the viewings.
Seed Catalog
Still a work-in-progress, the upcoming Seed Catalog will provide community members the opportunity to receive heirloom seeds from the library for their own personal use. This catalog will be continuously available and will be restocked with seeds from local farmers, both professionals and hobbyists.
The seed catalog needs volunteers to help pack seeds and get it up and running! If you'd like to volunteer to help, contact the library at (606) 787-9381 to be put in touch with
Book Fair
This is currently in the planning stage, but the first CCPL Book Fair will take place in August of 2023. All the nostalgia of a school book fair, but for the entire community! This will be a fundraiser for the Friends and will include music, atmosphere, refreshments, lightly use/new books and bookish items for sale.
If you would like to be part of the planning committee for this, please see the contact below and reach out to get involved!
Jewelry Sale
For the second year, the Friends will have a jewelry sale fundraiser. This will be in October of 2023. Donations of lightly used jewelry will be accepted through September.
Friends of the Library Bookstore
The Friends book store, is the beige building located behind the library. It was originally started by Shirley Peyton and dubbed Shirley’s Place. Nowadays, it houses a twice-monthly book sale. Proceeds from the sale of books go directly towards supporting your Casey County Public Library.
Hours of operation:
Second Tuesday of each month from 12pm-4pm
Last Saturday from 10am-2pm
Books and movies are just $0.25 each for members ($1 each for non-members). Membership is $5 per year for a single person or $7 a year for a family. Stop by and pick up some great deals on books, while supporting your local library.
Support Your Friends of the Library
Become a member
Membership dues are only $5.00 per person per year or $7 per household. Members receive a steep discount on books and other items. We may have occasional membership gifts which may be purchased at cost in addition to the membership fee, such as T-shirts, bags, etc.
Sign up to volunteer
The Friends are always seeking eager volunteers to help with events. To get your name added to the list, send a message to caseycountyfriends@gmail.com along with your name, contact information, and what days you’re available to volunteer.
Contact
If you would like more information about being a Friend of the Casey County Public Library, please stop by the library, email the Friends of the Library at caseycountyfriends@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page.
