Discover your St. Charles Library: Supporting the library through volunteerism

Today’s libraries thrive due to of the support of its community, staff and volunteers. The St. Charles Public Library is fortunate to have two special groups of fundraising volunteer organizations. The St. Charles Public Library Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that provides funds to enhance and enrich Library programs and services. It is a 13-member Board that meets monthly to plan two annual fundraisers to support the Library. The Foundation has been responsible for funding Student Street and Literacy Lane in Youth Services, and the renovation of the Carnegie Community Room. Their larger-scale initiatives help keep our library fresh and relevant. There is currently an opening on the Foundation Board for any interested resident. The Board meets on the second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Library. Please send letters of interest to Dawn Lassiter-Brueske, President, St. Charles Library Foundation, One South 6th Ave., St. Charles, IL 60174.

Our second core group of volunteers is the Friends of St. Charles Public Library. This 501(c)3 organization meets three times a year; and through fundraising, helps support our programs such as Summer Reading, Exam Cram and popular adult programs. The Friends sponsor a spring and fall used book sale and maintain an ongoing book sale located in both lobbies. They always welcome new members to assist with the sorting of donated materials and to help at the book sales. Members pay no yearly dues, but should have a love of books and a desire to help your local library. Applications to become a member are online or at the Library.

In addition to the Foundation and Friends, we also have volunteer opportunities for adult, teen and middle school students. These individuals assist us with a wide variety of tasks throughout the library. Junior Friends are middle school students in grades 6–8 who volunteer in our Youth Services department. Visit scpld.org/volunteer to apply or learn about how you can help us be an amazing library.

Our library is grateful to have such a solid base of volunteers dedicated to literacy. We invite you to volunteer at our library to help contribute to our mission of providing quality services to our community.

Edith Craig is director of the St. Charles Public Library District. The “Discover Your Library” column runs the second Thursday of each month. Feedback can be sent to editorial@kcchronicle.com.