There's more to a library than a book collection. At the 21 Sno-Isle libraries, it takes friends -- lots of friends -- to provide the extras.
"Each community library has its own Friends of the Library group. They're all separate nonprofit organizations," said Nancy Patton, volunteer program administrator for the Sno-Isle Regional Library System. "Their focus is their community library."
While Friends of Libraries U.S.A. is a national organization, money raised by each group stays close to home.
"They have ongoing book sales, and many groups have large book sales once or twice a year," Patton said. "They're all volunteers. These folks are doing this out of love and passion for their libraries. And they're always looking for more members."
In 2007, Patton said, Sno-Isle's Friends of the Library groups raised more than $285,000. Friends of the Library proceeds pay for programs for children, teens and adults, and much more.
"They purchase extras that fall outside the Sno-Isle budget that make a library a special and welcoming place," Patton said. In Mukilteo, where the library will mark its 10th anniversary this year, Friends of the Mukilteo Library paid to reupholster library furniture.
At the Lynnwood Library, the Friends group refurbished the children's, teens and 'tweens areas. "They buy colorful posters, carpets, all sorts of things," Patton said.
On Saturday, Friends of the Mountlake Terrace Library is putting on a book sale and a birthday party. The Mountlake Terrace Library is celebrating 20 years in its current building, said Rosy Brewer, managing librarian there.
The sale will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by a party complete with birthday cake from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mountlake Terrace Library.
Also Saturday, Friends of the Mukilteo Library will hold a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the Mountlake Terrace Library, Brewer said, the Friends group has ongoing used book sales and collects proceeds from copy machine use. "The money is used for children's programs and our family program, Saturdays at the Library," she said.
There's something for everyone at the sales. "It's not just books, there are CDs and DVDs," Brewer said.
Patton, who attends Friends of the Library meetings for all 21 Sno-Isle libraries, said the groups are all different, but with much in common. "They love their community library," she said.
