Published: June 23, 2009 08:57 am      

Library volunteers serve the community

People who live in Clinton realize that one of the key features of living here is that Clinton is a good place to raise a family.

There is something found here that is rarely found in larger cities. It’s a feeling of support and community sharing that makes many of us feel a part of our resources and activities. We like living here because when we go to athletic events from little league to high school sports we see friends and socialize with others.

When we shop or go to church, we are part of a group. The more involved we are, the more people we know and are comfortable with.

Volunteering is a great way to become involved. It is a good way to make friends and be recognized as an integral part of the community. It’s a way to pay back others and the city we enjoy for all we are given when we live, work and play here.

This article is about a special place to volunteer. It’s about a group that really makes a difference! It’s about Friends of the Library, a group of volunteers who help make our library more that just a place to find reading material and specific information. Friends volunteer time to help library staff in special projects and services. Friends of the Library help to make a library visit warm and friendly where children and adults can find new ideas and experiences.

Friends of the Library volunteers promote library activities and services in all sorts of ways. Their support comes in the form of funds for programs such as special speakers, children’s programs, storytellers for all ages, summer events and special reading projects. Money from this group provides equipment above and beyond what one might expect in a library. Through the years they’ve bought computer monitors, scanners, software, printers, videos, tapes, a fax machine, media displays and generally helped with the expenses of automation. They have helped fund extras for the children’s center in addition to supporting some building improvements. One of the fun events for volunteers is their annual dinner and special program held in November of each year.

Friends of the Library are active in working toward a new, larger facility which will be more suitable for a city of our size. They desire to have a library that will more adequately serve all the people of Clinton regardless of age, physical handicaps or what part of the city in which they live. In pursuit of this goal they have helped finance library consultants, site studies and architectural designs.

If you have an interest in becoming involved with helping at the library, there are several ways you may do so. You may simply volunteer at the library or you may join “Friends of the Clinton Public Library.” Applications and more information are available at the Clinton Public Library Web site (www.clinton.lib.ia.us/ link to “Friends”) or at the circulation desk. It is possible to simply be a financially contributing member or volunteer to actually work on projects such as the fall book sale of used books, sorting books, delivering to the homebound and many other hands-on projects involving programs, fundraising and facilities. If you have ideas for programs, want to become involved or have a talent to share, please feel free to contact our president, Judy Hammen, at friends@clinton.lib.ia.us.



Richard Kissack is the president of the Clinton Public Library Board of Trustees.