October 25, 2024 3:20 a.m.

Roseburg Public Library is celebrating the Friends of the Roseburg Public Library.

A city release said National Friends of Libraries Week is being celebrated through Saturday.

Library Director Kris Wiley said Friend’s members attend programs, check out materials, share the library story and work hard behind the scenes to raise funds that support library programs and projects. Wiley said over the past year, the Friends have donated more than $20,000 to the library. Most of that funding comes from their various sales of donated and withdrawn library books.

Behind the scenes, Friends sort through every donation of books and magazines the library receives. Wiley said donations are always welcome during the hours the library is open. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk.

Some donated material goes directly to the Friends Book Store, which is open to the public during library hours in the back of the library’s main room. It includes free magazines published within the past three years.

Some donated material is saved for the large book sales held quarterly in the Ford Room. Some are posted for sale on the Friends of the Library’s Amazon account. Proceeds from sales over the past year have been used to fund the summer and winter reading programs, craft supplies, giveaway books and program presenters.

Wiley said the Frends also serve as the Local Program Partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. That is an early literacy program that mails one new, free book to registered children from birth to their fifth birthday.

Wiley said she encourages residents to consider becoming part of the Friends group. The cost ranges from $8 per year for an individual to $100 for a business or lifetime membership. For more information about the Friends, go to: www.roseburglibraryfriends.org

Wiley said the library could not do all it does without the Friends of the Roseburg Public Library.