Friends of Library recruiting new members, raising funds

The Friends of the Library is a volunteer organization that was formed to help provide for library needs beyond the regular library budget. Through our different fundraisers and membership dues to the Friends we have been able to supply funds for additional materials, upgrades in technology services, sponsorship of lectures and programs, and special projects identified by the Odessa Public Library Board.

Recently, the Friends of the Library were able to invite storyteller extraordinaire, David Crouch, to entertain many in the community, including the first- through fourth-grade classes at P.C. Jantz Elementary, as well as many home-schooled children and those not yet school age, not to mention quite a few adults as well!

The organization also helps support the Summer Reading Program which keeps the joy of reading alive during the summer months.

Last year, monies were given so that the library could purchase the necessary equipment to get our library into the 21st century! The Odessa Public Library will soon be converting to an electronic checkout system which will help our librarian better track our inventory of books and make the checkout process more streamlined.

A most exciting addition to the library is the availability, for checkout, of a Kindle and a Nook. Each device has pre-loaded titles for users to enjoy.

Come join us on Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. for our quarterly meeting. If you would like to become a member, we would be thrilled to have you. Membership for 2013 is quite a bargain, and with all of us working together, our library will continue to be a success as we move forward.