Carnegie Library, Hamburg Library supported by friends
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – You’ve probably heard of book sales and fundraisers at your local library, but did you know there’s usually a group behind them?
Most book lovers in Livingston County benefit from membership in the Friends of the Library – from Hamburg Township to Howell to Brighton.
The Friends of the Township Library in Hamburg, for example, is responsible for, among other things, raising all the funds for the library.
“The Friends are just wonderful,” said library director Holly Hentz. “For all the special events, projects and things that we don’t specifically budget for, the Friends are there to support us.”
The Friends manage the library’s gardens, organize volunteers, and advocate for the library’s interests. They hold a book sale in the spring and fall and operate the library’s gift shop, which contributes to the library’s monthly income.
“We help wherever we are needed and we always enjoy our time here,” said group secretary Debbie Kooperman. “We love our library.”
Libraries are expanding their offerings beyond books more than ever before. The Hamburg Township Library offers study rooms, custodial services, and a “library of things” with items such as board games, sewing machines, and binoculars.
Hentz said the library is also a gathering place for the community, as it provides a cool place in hot weather and a place to get together. Various groups and clubs meet at the library, including those that engage in embroidery, knitting and chess.
“Public libraries are much more than just a place for books,” Hentz said. “We have many other services.”
The Carnegie Library
Estelle Kirby, a member of the Friends of the Howell Carnegie District Library, enjoys volunteering with the group during her retirement.
“We love our library and we love investing time in it,” Kirby said. “We enjoy the work. We enjoy being surrounded by books. We enjoy being surrounded by the people who come to read and buy the books.”
Kirby said the work keeps her physically active by moving and organizing materials.
“There’s nothing better than moving boxes of books. You bend, stretch, and put books on shelves,” Kirby said. “I think it’s the fountain of youth to physically engage with those books and mentally maintain the educational aspects of constant reading.”
Kirby said many of the volunteers are retired teachers who have a passion for books and enjoy talking about new books and recommending them to each other.
“I’ve always loved reading, and now I’m retired, this is the best thing I’ve ever found in retirement,” Kirby said. “I’m surrounded by books… and people who love books as much as I do.”
The Friends of the Howell Carnegie District Library hosts a book sale twice a month from October through June and an annual five-day sale during the Howell Melon Fest in August.
Donations are collected all year round by appointment, with a maximum of three boxes possible per collection.
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Kirby said the group has funded several things for the library, including new chairs, self-checkout stations, computers and items for the children’s section.
During the pandemic, members donated $10,000 to help the library offer additional online resources.
“That’s our job,” Kirby said. “We’re here to support.”
The Book Room at the Carnegie Library is organized and operated by Kirby and the Friends. It is an ongoing used book store. Prices for most books range from 25 cents for children’s books to $3.50 for new releases.
Want to become a friend? Visit friendsofhtl.org or howelllibrary.org/friends-of-the-library to get started.
— Madeline Warren is a freelance writer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the editor at [email protected].
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