Friends of the Library
About the Friends
The Friends of the Austin Public Library help support library services, programs, and other activities by:
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encouraging community awareness of library services
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providing volunteer assistance for library programs, open houses, and special events
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assisting with delivery of books and materials to patrons who are unable to come to the library
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contributing funds from dues, used book sales, and other events to purchase materials or equipment beyond the library’s regular operating budget.
The annual meeting is held in the Fall, and an elected board meets regularly.
Annual dues are $10.00 per individual or family. Gifts above these dues are gladly accepted. The Friends of the Austin Public Library is a 501(c)3 organization.
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Annual meeting
The annual meeting is held half an hour before the Fall Book Sale on the members-only night. Attendance at the meeting allows you to enter the sale a few minutes early.
Book sales
The Friends sponsor two annual used book sales, in the Spring (April or May) and Fall (September or October), at the library. Check the calendar or our Facebook page for this year’s dates.
The Spring sale runs for three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and is open all days to the public. The Fall sale runs for three days: the first day (Thursday evening) is open to Friends members only, but Friends memberships may be purchased at the door; the second and third days (Friday and Saturday) are open all day to the public.
Donations of good quality used books, CDs, and DVDs may be dropped off at the library in the week prior to the sale. Please note that donations of magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, National Geographics and Reader’s Digest condensed books will not be accepted.
Other events:
Blind Date with a Book. This event occurs the week of Valentine's Day. Shoppers will buy a wrapped copy of a book, with clues written on the outside describing the nature of the book. The "blind date" book will be revealed when the the book is unwrapped. This is an excellent opportunity to find some new authors to read.
Murder Mystery. The first annual murder mystery event took place on February 1st, 2020.
Used Cell Phone Drive. the Friends participate in helping the environment by collecting used cell phones and sending them to a recycling and restoring center. The Friends are then given money from the company that we then use for the library. Please place your old cell phones in the box at the library, located on the counter near the entrance. This a year round fundraiser.
Volunteering
Interested in assisting the Friends with our fundraising events? Please contact us on our Facebook page via messenger, email us at austinfriendslibrary@gmail.com or notify the front desk at the library and we will get in touch with you.