You should receive a mailer from the Friends of the Library in the next week or so. The mailer includes a brochure and a return envelope that makes joining or rejoining the Friends easy. When you receive the mailer, please send in a check for membership dues for the 2022-2023 year.

I am hoping you will respond because Sandra and I were part of the group that prepared the mailers. We met on a Tuesday morning to make sure each one included the return envelope, had the four stickers the US Post Office requires, and an address label. We started working at 10 a.m. and worked until 1 p.m. to get hundreds of these mailers ready for posting.

The Friends will do a second mailing to those who did not respond to the first mailing. I would rather not spend more hours getting the second set of these brochures ready for mailing. If you respond as soon as you receive your brochure, you will help the Friends avoid duplicate mailings and save money for printing and postage the Friends can use for programs.

Why should you join the Friends? I doubt most people in our community genuinely understand just what the Friends do to assist our local libraries in enhancing their programming and outreach. The Friends of the Library began in 1978. The organization’s primary purpose includes supporting the library's mission by inspiring creativity, fostering learning, and providing varied programs.

Your contribution to Friends helps provide free access to the latest technology and information resources to our community. The Friends support many programs aimed at children and teens that focus on literacy and interactive learning. Did you know that the library staff also assists with homework?

From 1999 through April 2015, Friends provided $261,828.00 through memberships and fundraising efforts. These funds enabled the local libraries in our county to offer 30 or more programs each year – more than 500 programs during those 16 years.

When the statewide quiz bowl competition ended, the Friends continued to underwrite the local competition to highlight some of our top students. That competition has always been fierce as area high schools competed for bragging rights.

Some people think that becoming a member of Friends is only for the elite. Nothing could be further from the truth. Individual membership costs only $10 a year. A family can join for $20. Those who want to contribute more can give at the Sponsor level ($50), the Patron level ($100), the Benefactor level ($250), or the Partner level ($500). The funding Friends receives stems from many donations of various amounts, all going into one pool.

The Friends of the Library is a 501(c)(3), so contributions may be tax-deductible. Donations from residents and businesses in LaGrange or Pink Hill are used exclusively for programs at those respective libraries.

If you do not receive a mailer and want to join the Friends, come by the main library and pick up a brochure and envelope. You will be more than welcome to become a member. By joining the Friends, you will become one of many partners who believe investing in this community is essential to improving our quality of life.

I served as President of the Friends from August 29, 1996, through January 11, 2017 – more than 20 years. I still serve on the Friends board. The reason is simple: I believe in our library and its mission and Friends' mission to support our library.

Please join me.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.