Everyone Needs Friends…Even Our Library!
Have you joined your Friends of the Library? Library lovers everywhere are invited and encouraged to join their local Friends of the Library group. Members of the Friends of the Ripley Library are dedicated volunteer advocates for the Union Township Public Library. The organization raises much-needed funds, sponsors programs and special events, and hosts popular used book sales.
Who are the Friends?
The Friends of the Ripley Library is a non-profit organization made up of individuals who support and celebrate the Ripley Library. Friends of the Library are people like you who believe in and support their public library.
Our Mission
The Friends of the Ripley Library is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, dedicated to fostering wider recognition, use and support of the Ripley Library. Our mission is to support the Library, to enable its staff to enhance the resources and services of the Library, and to enrich the community. We focus our attention on the local and extended community of Library patrons. We accomplish our mission through collaboration, fundraising, allocation of funds and sponsorship of programs for the community.
What We Do
Great libraries cannot be built by state funding alone. Every year, the Friends provide additional funding needed for programs, materials and support which helps the library to meet its needs. Through the Friends fundraising projects, it supports:
- The Summer Reading program by purchasing T-shirts for participants
- Physical improvements to Library and equipment
- Musical performers, shows and holiday events (Magic Santa and Healthy Halloween) for children of all ages
- Authors, speakers and entertainers for adults, teens and children
- Special programs to honor people and events significant to our area and its history
- The Dolly Parton Reading Program
The Friends also managed the fundraising program for the restoration of the Ripley Cannon, located on the front lawn of the Union Township Library in Ripley.
Fundraising Events
Our major fundraiser for the year is the Friends of the Ripley Library annual Holiday Book sale held during Ripley’s River Village Christmas Celebration. Other book sales also are held periodically throughout the year. The Ripley Friends’ Book Sale is just one of the ways through which the Friends raise money for the Ripley Library and provide affordable books for the community. Other fundraising events are held throughout the year.
You Can Help Support the Friends’ Book Sale
Don’t add to landfills by throwing out your unwanted reading materials, tapes and videos. Donate books, CDs, and DVDs to the Friends. These gifts will not only replenish our stock of items for sale but will recycle the items to other people for their enjoyment and benefit.
Friends of the Ripley Library – Book Donation Policy
We DO accept:
- Hardback and paperback books in good condition
- VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs in good condition
- Newspapers
We do NOT accept:
- Books that are damaged, poor quality, dirty, moldy, etc
While your donations are greatly appreciated, the Friends of the Library reserves the right to refuse material.
How to Donate
Donate Books
Your donations can be dropped off at the Ripley Library, at 27 Main Street. Please mark the bags “FOR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY†on the outside so they will get to us and be a part of our next book sale. This is an easy way to turn your used books, tapes and DVDs into Library programs and activities by donating them to the Friends.
Plan a Book Drive
In order for us to have a great book sale, we need a lot of books. So, if you are looking for a great project, we would like to invite you to start a Book Drive. A Book Drive is an excellent activity for groups or individuals: Clubs, Businesses, Neighborhoods, Scouts (leadership badges), Schools and Communities. The more books we have, the more dollars we can raise for our library!
Become a Friends of the Ripley Library Member
There’s never been a better time to join the Friends of the Ripley Library! For those who love the Library, believe in its programs and understand the need to continually improve the Library, a membership in the Friends is a great way to show support. By joining the Friends of the Ripley Library you will help create a better library! There are no membership fees. But there are benefits for you when you join, including
- Interesting volunteer opportunities
- Advance look and purchase of books at our Book Sale events
- Satisfaction of knowing you are helping enrich the Library and its programs
The Friends of the Ripley Library is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that meets the third Monday, every other month.
Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for a fun and rewarding way to support Library activities, and meet other people with similar interests? Volunteering with the Friends offers various opportunities that will meet your schedule, interests and skills. You can volunteer as little or as much as you want. We’re flexible when it comes to our volunteers’ time.
Get In Touch
Contact the Friends of the Ripley Library: FriendsRipley@yahoo.com
All donations made to the Friends of the Ripley Library organization are tax deductible. Any monetary donations for the Friends of the Library can be dropped off at the Ripley Library.
