PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS — Every Library needs a volunteer group and the Parsippany Public Library is no exception. The purpose of the Friends of the Library, a 501(C)3 organization, is to raise money for special Library programs and collections of Library materials. If you or a family member have ever attended a library program, borrowed an E book, attended a Makerspace workshop, or borrowed a piece of equipment, chances are the Friends of the Library contributed financially to the program, collection or equipment.
The Friends also serve as advocates for the Library. An upcoming advocacy initiative of the Friends will be to advocate for the Library Construction bond ballot question. The Friends also support any legislation that benefits Libraries.
The Library Board and administration are looking for Friends members (a simple yearly donation of $15.00 or more) as well as for Friends officers. Friends members are 18 years of age and older.
September is the perfect time for you to make a volunteer commitment. Perhaps you are new to the area and you are looking for a group to join so that you can make friends. Perhaps your youngest has started kindergarten or left for college and you are trying to find something to do-just for you. Maybe you are just someone who thinks they want to give back to the community.
The first step is to determine what kind of volunteer you think you are.Are you a “doer “? If so perhaps you would like to help with the Library book sales. Or sit at a table in the Library and recruit new Friends volunteers. Or help with the Friends sponsored prom dress sale in the early months of 2018. You might also like to serve as Friends secretary and take minutes at the quarterly meetings (four times a year).
Are you good at Math? The Friends are looking for a new treasurer. They particularly need someone who can handle on-line banking. The Treasurer needs to attend four meetings a year and provide financial reports.
Speaking of reports, if you love doing computer spreadsheets, the group also needs a membership coordinator who can keep track of the members, send out yearly renewals and send emails to our members.
Are you more of a “thinker? “ If so, the Friends need your creativity to discover some ways to fundraise. The Friends want to raise money so that they can help the Library. For example you could arrange for bus trips to local sites or come up with other interesting ideas.
Perhaps leadership is your strong suit. The Friends need a president and vice president/president elect. Now is the time to put your leadership skills to the test because it is the time to reinvent the Friends of the Library.
If any of these opportunities sound interesting and you would like to volunteer, you can print out a Friends Interest form found on the Library’s website by clicking here, or if you wish to receive more specific details, you may attend an information session about the Friends.
The Library will hold two information sessions about the Friends. The first information session will be held at the Main Library, 449 Halsey Road, on Tuesday, August 29 at 11:30 a.m. and the second session will be an evening session on Wednesday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at both events and you may enter to win a door prize. If you have any questions about this event, please call (973) 887-5150, ext. 219 and speak to Library Director, Jayne Beline.
