Friends of Scranton: Support is Critical
Since 1971, Friends of Scranton Library has been a critical component of funding for Madison’s beloved library. The organization has helped make up funding shortfalls on several of the library’s expansion projects over the last several decades, and they continue to contribute to the institution’s annual budget, which, despite generous funding by the town, still needs to raise a significant portion of their operating budget every year.
According to President of the Friends Barbra Buckley, the organization provides support to the library in a variety of ways, including organizing the popular used book sales and other fundraisers, re-shelving books, baking goodies for library programs, and sending library welcome letters to new town residents.
“I’m not sure if people are aware that Madison does not fully fund the library because we are an association library,” Buckley said. “Fundraising for the library that we do isn’t for special projects necessarily; it’s to help keep the lights on. The trustees need to raise several hundred thousand dollars this coming year, and the Friends are a component of that fundraising effort. For the past several years, we have donated $40,000 a year to the library as an unrestricted gift.”
The organization’s support is crucial, according to Buckley, because each year, the library must generate approximately 15% of its operating budget, making the Friends donations a significant contributor to keeping the library operating. According to Buckley, the group is initiating a membership drive beginning in February and is seeking volunteers of any age or background.
“We really want to push the idea of who we are and what we do. Friends started in 1971 when we were basically just helping put books away, but since then, it has really developed into a fundraising arm for the library,” Buckley said. “It’s important for folks to consider helping support us so we can support the library, simply because the library isn’t fully funded. This year, the library needs to raise almost $300,000, and the Friends usually raise $18,00 to $20,000 a year, and every single penny we raise goes to the library. We hope residents take advantage of our membership drive and consider joining. The public is always welcome to our meetings, which are on the third Wednesday of the month at the library. There are a lot of volunteer opportunities…and the volunteering can be as little or as much as you want to do.”
Scranton Acting Director Tim Kellogg emphasized the group’s importance to the library’s operations and mission.
“The Scranton Library Friends are a vital partner in the mission of the library. Their book sales and other fundraisers directly support the programs and services of the library. Friends of the Library groups are unique in that they are their own organization, which requires an abundance of hours of volunteer support from their board members and event volunteers, but their purpose is to support the library. The Scranton Library Friends and their board do a great job of supporting the library, and in turn, I want to support them in making sure people know when they need additional talent and support to continue their good work of volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for the mission of the library,” Kellogg said.
Those seeking to participate can help by purchasing a bow as part of the library’s holiday fundraiser. The bows can be purchased directly at the library, and all proceeds go directly to the Scranton.
“We are asking people to purchase a holiday bow and sponsor a bow for five dollars a pop,” said Buckley. “We hope everyone will participate. It helps dress up the library a little bit for the holiday season, and it’s really fun for us. People like to see it. You can select a bow right at the library and even write a note on your bow if you want to. It’s just a fun thing to do.”
For more information on how you can be a part of the team, visit www.scrantonlibraryfriends.wordpress.com, or email friends@scrantonlibrary.org