Friends: Branch Support Groups

Friends groups are important volunteer support groups for Baltimore County Public Library. BCPL has enjoyed a long history of support from Friends groups, which were organized as far back as the 1930’s in order to establish libraries for their communities. Friends bring additional talent, expertise, volunteer support, and financial support to their community libraries. Friends have been known to network with local politicians, convincing them to open new branches or to increase service in communities that needed it. Additionally, they are the voice in the community, communicating the availability of great library programs and services to community residents.

What are Friends for?
 

Community Outreach/Advocacy

• Friends can represent the library at local community fairs.
• Friends can be involved in local holiday parades and celebrations.
• Friends can represent the library in community organizations.

Volunteering

• Friends can volunteer at the library.
• Friends can assist with library programs and events.
• Friends can become "greeters" to welcome/direct customers coming into the library.
• Friends can participate in library projects such as historical collection preservation.

Fundraising

• Friends can organize fundraising/friendraising events such as used book sales, photography and essay contests, children’s activities, antique shows or read-a-thons to benefit the library.

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Friends of the Arbutus Library
 

The purpose of the Friends of the Arbutus Library is to promote and support library services in the Greater Arbutus area; to build up the resources of the Arbutus Library History Room; to adopt guidelines for its operation; and to promote public interest in its program.

The Friends of the Arbutus Library:

• Maintain the Arbutus History Room by collecting and organizing relevant articles, photographs, genealogies and other documents.

• Plan and present historical programs of interest to the residents of the greater Arbutus area.

• Create displays of local historical interest for the library showcase.

(information confirmed in January 2008)

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Friends of Catonsville Library

Newsletters:

Spring 2010 [PDF]

Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Friends of the Catonsville Library is to provide support to the services, facilities and resources of the Catonsville Library; to provide support from time to time to the Baltimore County Public Library System as deemed appropriate by the Board; to maintain and promote the Catonsville Historical Room at the Library.

Contact Person: Cheryl Dunigan, 410-744-1593 or dunigans2@verizon.net

This year our group will assist the Catonsville Library in various community projects. Conduct on-going local oral history program of the town of Catonsville. Present exhibits of historic materials to researchers and to general public in Catonsville Room of the Catonsville Library. Publish bi-annual newsletter.

(information confirmed in October 2008)

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Friends of the Hereford Library

Mission Statement: The Friends of the Hereford Library supports activities at the Hereford Library through volunteer services and supplementary purchases of specialized books, programs, equipment, and supplies.

Contact Person: Laura Pawlak, 410-343-2249 or laura.pawlak@comcast.net

Projects and Priorities:

• Annual Fundraising Campaign

• Annual Friends Meeting

• Monthly Book Discussion

• Summer Reading Club Support
  
  

(information confirmed in October 2008)

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Friends of the North Point Library

The Friends of the North Point Library have a strong presence in the programs offered at the library. The Friends conduct storytimes for babies from birth to 22 months. They lead a book discussion group for adults. The Friends encourage book donations to the library to support fund-raising for special programs. They welcome additional library supporters to join them.

Contact Persons: Virginia Gallik, 410-285-0253, or Theresa Shaw, 410-284-1345.

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Friends of the Perry Hall Library

Mission Statement: The mission of the Friends of the Perry Hall Library, a group of dedicated volunteers, is to provide support to and advocate for the Perry Hall Library. We strive to promote and expand the library's functions and services for the community.

Contact Person: Caroline Seamon, 410-592-5107

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Friends of the Pikesville Library

Mission Statement: To serve the Pikesville community by striving to enhance and promote services of the library.

Contact Person: Rhoda Levin, 410-887-1234

Projects:

• Organize and present the weekly Friends of the Pikesville Library Guest Speaker Series, from October through April each year

(information confirmed in January 2008)

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Friends of the Randallstown Library

Mission Statement: Through monetary gifts and community outreach,
(1) increase the Randallstown Library's services, facilities, and resources, and
(2) promote the public's use of the library.

Contact Person: Charlotte Lerner, President, BUBBS24@juno.com

(information confirmed in January 2008)

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Friends of the Towson Library

Newsletters:

Purpose:

To increase and improve the services and facilities of the Towson Library and to educate the public to a fuller appreciation of the function and facilities of the Towson Library.

The Friends provide ongoing funding for interior landscaping, service and facility enhancements (Teen Central, cafe, castle), for outstanding programs, for the local history project providing preservation and access to historic materials, for incentives for participation in the all-ages Summer Reading Club and more. An annual book sale is held in April at the Towson Library.

The annual meeting of the Friends is held the first Tuesday in May at 7 p.m. in the Towson Library meeting room; the public is invited. The Board meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month, October through May at 7 p.m. in the Wilson Room at the Towson Library.

Contact Person: Arthur Lynch, 410-377-0278, alynchjr@gmail.com

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The Foundation for BCPL
 

The purpose of the Foundation for BCPL is to mobilize resources to support BCPL's commitment to a superior public library system where opportunities for literacy, reading enrichment, and lifelong learning are available to all.

Contact Person: Julie Dreisch, Development Specialist, 410-887-3282, jdreisch@bcpl.net

Objectives of the Foundation for BCPL:

• To provide funding for projects that encourage children and young adults to cultivate a life-long enthusiasm for reading and learning.

• To act as advocates for the library to ensure that library services continue on into the future.

• To raise funds for specific programs or projects that enhance system-wide Baltimore County Library goals and objectives.

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