Library friends resurrected

Everybody, and every organization, needs friends. Until recently, the Argonne branch of the Spokane County Library District was without friends – a Friends of the Library group, that is – the only library in the district without a support group.

Three area women, Karen Johnson, Marilyn Garofano and Julia Postlewaite, took on the task of re-starting a Friends group that hasn’t existed in the library since the 1990s. They’re also putting together their first big fundraising event, a book sale on May 14.

The three women began planning the reincarnation of the much-needed support group last fall and had their first meeting in January.

“We just saw the need in our community library,” Garofano said.

Events the Friends of the Library will help support include the “Spokane is Reading” program, held in October, along with summer reading programs for kids and teenagers. There will be funding for adult programs as well, such as canning classes and Spanish guitar classes.

“I don’t think adults realize there are programs for them,” Johnson said. The library also has a wish list, including new furnishings, an e-book readerand other items that its budget won’t cover.

The newly reorganized Friends group is in need of volunteers. Garofano, Johnson and Postlewaite, along with their spouses, make up a solid group, but a small one.

Putting together the book sale is a big job. The Shamrock Educational Academy, an all-male private alternative high school in Newman Lake, is closing its doors to become a retreat center. The academy has donated approximately 3,000 books to the sale and the Spokane Valley community has donated approximately 1,000 books. The Friends of the Library group is storing and sorting the 4,000 books in the back of the Rocket Bakery in Millwood.

More volunteers would mean more help, but volunteering also has a social benefit, the women said. “The Friends group is a way to volunteer in your community and socialize,” said Postlewaite. “It’s another way to support your community.”

The book sale is the group’s first fundraiser, but the three women said they plan on making it an annual event and see themselves holding additional fundraisers.

At the sale, books will cost from 50 cents to $2 and DVDs will cost $1.

For more information on the sale or volunteering with the Argonne Friends of the Library call (509) 893-8260.