PARSIPPANY — Many of us know the lyrics to the song: ”You’ve got a Friend” but the Friends of the Parsippany Library proved that they really understand the meaning behind it!
Due to budget constraints, and the availability of electronic access, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library did not renew all of its newspaper subscriptions this year.
One example of a newspaper subscription that we did not renew is the New York Post. Soon the Librarians received complaints about not providing this newspaper subscription. It seems many people come into the Library on a daily basis to read this newspaper. One gentleman even thought that the Library had discontinued the publication for political reasons! This was far from true since the Library is very objective and is careful to include newspapers, magazines and books which portray the many sides of issues. When our Library Director told Pat Simon, the chairperson of the Book Nook and vice president of the Friends about this problem, she knew we were “down and troubled” so she and the Friends “lent a helping hand” and decided to pay the $275 so that this newspaper subscription could be renewed.
According to the subscription service, the New York Post should be back on the shelves within four to six weeks. And we hope our regular newspaper reading customers will come back too!
This subscription renewal is just one of many ways the Friends have shown their support for the Library and its two branches through the years.
The Friends have used money raised from book sales, the Book Nook, dine out fund raisers, their 30 club promotion and Friends memberships to pay for collections of books, dvds, playaways; to provide toys and books geared to children with autism; to sponsor children’s and adult programs with special presenters and speakers; and for Library equipment and furniture.
For example, the Friends have raised funds to sponsor: the stuffed animal sleepover; study and snack program; Zumba for kids; a juggling program; an adult program about FDR; a program for teens; a museum pass for the Yogi Berra museum which can also be used at Cooperstown; and special book collections such as test prep books; consumer health books and books about countries for kids; and book club in a bag kits. This year and every year, the Friends have provided financial support for the summer reading program, a 3 month incentive that is put in place to encourage the children, teens and adults of our community to read and use the Library.
Without the support of the Friends, the Library would be unable to provide all of these special services. The Friends of the Parsippany is a 501(C)3 volunteer organization.
If you are interested in paying membership dues to help support the initiatives of the Friends, visit the Library website by clicking here.
The Friends are also looking for people interested in giving back to the community. After years of service, some of our Friends leaders plan to retire from officer to member. So the Friends are seeking new officers.
If you are interested in applying to be an officer of the Friends, please email friendsofficers@parsippanylibrary.org.
