Friends of the Library

What Friends of the Library do

The role of Friends of the Library Bundaberg is to select and deliver books and other library items to housebound residents, and residents of retirement villages and nursing homes. Friends of the Library volunteers come into the Library on some weekday mornings to choose books for the residents they are responsible for, and later they deliver these items.

This year 60 Friends delivered to 125 people. Each volunteer delivered an average of 285 items for the year. Over 18000 items were delivered this year, an increase of 1300 on the previous year.

Friends also organise Library bags for sale to the public. These contine to be a very popular sale item. All funds raised go to the Library.

We provide support for...

• general library promotion within the community
• book sales and other fundraising activities
• deliveries of library items to the housebound
• Australian Library Week promotions
• the use of large print and taped books

Our aims...

• to support and encourage free libraries
• to give voluntary and practical help in maintaining and extending library services
• to promote the extension of library services by securing materials beyond the command of the ordinary library budget

Some of our achievements...

• since the inception of Friends of the Library (FOL) in March 1983, more than $30 000 has been raised and donated to the Library for the purchase of all types of books including large print and tape recorded "talking" books
• the Home Delivery Service to the housebound has been well established and a "Birthday Party" is organised annually for the recipients of the Service

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Becoming a Volunteer

A Friends of the Library Bundaberg pamphlet is available from the Library. It contains an Application Form which you fill out and hand in at the Library counter. Anyone who wishes to volunteer their services is most welcome.

There is an annual membership fee of $2.00 to become a Friends of the Library volunteer.

The benefits of being a Friend include:

• regular newsletters
• the opportunity to have an input into the future direction of your library
• widening your circle of friends and meeting people with a similar interest
• the enjoyment and pride felt when helping others
• other advantages detailed in the regular newsletters

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Book Sale

Friends of the Library organise and hold a book sale once a year to clear donations and old library stock, and to raise money for the Library.

FOL volunteers come in periodically throughout the year to sort through items for the book sale. On the Friday before the sale, volunteers set up and on the Saturday morning they man the tables.

The Friends of the Library annual book sale began in the carpark of the old Library not long after they first formed in 1983. The book sale continues to grow every year and is now held in the larger Civic Centre premises. An average of $2500 is made from the event.

End of an Era
Saturday 24 April 2004 saw the last ever Bundaberg Friends of the Library Book Sale held. The last ever book sale raised just under $3000 for the Library.

All remaining stock from the book sale was collected by local charities and is available from these charities for a nominal cost.

Bundaberg Library will continue to appreciate the kind donation of materials from the public. However, in future any items that the Library is unable to add to its collection will be picked up by our local charities, instead of being offered in a book sale.

Despite the end of the annual Book Sale Bundaberg Friends of the Library still remains very active and dedicated in providing its housebound service. Friends of the Library will also continue to conduct their annual Christmas Raffle.

Our Friends of the Library volunteers do a wonderful and much appreciated job raising funds, promoting the Library, and providing a Library service to the housebound. Bundaberg Library wishes to thank our FOL volunteers for their continued dedication and hard work.

If any member of the public wishes to volunteer their time to Friends of the Library, please do not hesitate to call the Library on 4153 9253. Your efforts will be much appreciated.

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History of Friends of the Library Bundaberg

Friends of the Library was formed in April 1983 and made their first delivery of books to the housebound on 26 March 1984.

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