Celebrating National Friends of the Library Week

Friends of the Libraries groups have their own national week of celebration. In 2022, the 19th annual National Friends of the Libraries Week was October 16-22. The celebration is a time to recognize and raise awareness of Friends of the Edgewater Library in the community and the support it offers to the Edgewater Branch and the Edgewater community.

Read what some of our members had to say about being part of Friends of the Edgewater Library.

When did you join and why? 

  •  I joined the Friends of the Edgewater Library this summer because I love all libraries, big or small.  Edgewater is my home branch, and I visit once a week if not more.  I joined because I work as a Teacher in the Library at the Budlong Woods branch and as a Teacher in the Library, Edgewater offers me a sense of community in this urban scene. — Julie D.

  • I joined in 2017 to meet Edgewater neighbors and volunteered to help at the next Friends’ fundraising Book Sale because I thought it might be fun. Guess what – it was! I’ve helped with every Book Sale since then. Try it…you’ll like it! — Cindy C.

  • I joined Friends of the Edgewater Library in 2019. Our public library has given me so much and I want to give something back to keep it healthy and thriving for the community. — Jane W.

Describe Friends of the Edgewater Library in three words.

  • Three words that describe Friends of the Edgewater Library:  Vital, Creative, Community — Michele A.

  • Collegial, energetic, and community-minded. — Joanne K.

What value do you think Friends of the Edgewater Library offers the community? 

  • Friends of the Edgewater Library offers new and resourceful opportunities to support the library and provides exciting and stimulating programs to engage the community. — Joanne K.

What's the one thing you value most as a member? 

  • What I value as a member are the people that I meet. They pique my curiosity. Friends’ members have as varied a group of life and career stories as you can find. They come from all walks of life, many born here, many are transplants from elsewhere, like me. — Joanna B.

  • We all share a love of books and reading, and libraries play an important role in our lives. People are endlessly fascinating, and being a Friend has brought me many friendships that I know will last a lifetime.  — Joanna B.

Read Alderman Harry Osterman’s letter to the Friends of the Edgewater Library.