New Childers service...
Bundaberg Regional Libraries is very happy to announce that a Friends of the Library service is now operating in the Childers region.
If you are a housebound resident in the Childers area and would like to enquire about receiving deliveries from Friends of the Library, please phone Childers Branch Librarian Denise Rapkins on 41304650.
If you would like to enquire about volunteering to deliver items to housebound residents please phone Childers Branch Librarian Denise Rapkins on 41304650.
What Friends of the Library (FOL) do
The role of Friends of the Library is to select and deliver books and other library items to housebound residents. Friends of the Library volunteers come into the Library on some weekday mornings to choose books for residents they are responsible for, and later they deliver these items.
Friends of the Library also fundraise for the Library through raffles, etc. All funds raised go to the Library.
Our aims...
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to support and encourage free libraries
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to give voluntary and practical help in maintaining and extending library services
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to promote the extension of library services by securing materials beyond the command of the ordinary library budget
Becoming a volunteer
A Friends of the Library pamphlet is available from the Library. It contains an Application Form which you fill out and hand in at the Library counter. Anyone who wishes to volunteer their services is most welcome.
There is a small annual membership fee to become a Friends of the Library volunteer.
The benefits of being a Friend include:
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regular newsletters
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the opportunity to have an input into the future direction of your library
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widening your circle of friends and meeting people with a similar interest
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the enjoyment and pride felt when helping others
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other advantages detailed in the regular newsletters
History of Friends of the Library Bundaberg
Friends of the Library was formed in April 1983 and made their first delivery of books to the housebound on 26 March 1984.
History of Friends of the Library Childers
A need was identified in Childers for a Friends of the Library service to housebound residents. Branch Librarian Denise Rapkins, with the assistance of Bob Adams from the Bundaberg Friends of the Library group, called a meeting on 19 July 2011 for those interested in volunteering their time to deliver library items.
As a result of this meeting a number of people confirmed their interest in providing home deliveries. A further meeting on 2 August 2011 resulted in seven people joining the Friends of the Library and a number of others lodging their interest in participating as well.
At another meeting on 7 September 2011 the Childers Friends of the Library group decided that Branch Librarian Denise Rapkins would be the co-ordinator of the group and interested recipients should now be called for.
Book Sale
History
Friends of the Library organised and held a book sale once a year to clear donations and old library stock, and to raise money for the Library.
FOL volunteers came in periodically throughout the year to sort through items for the book sale. On the Friday before the sale volunteers set up, and on the Saturday morning they manned the tables.
The Friends of the Library annual book sale began in the carpark of the old Library (corner Quay & Barolin streets) not long after they first formed in 1983. The book sale continued to grow every year and was moved to the larger Civic Centre premises. An average of $2500 was made from each sale.
End of an era
Saturday 24 April 2004 saw the last ever Bundaberg Friends of the Library Book Sale held. The last ever book sale raised just under $3000 for the Library.
Despite the end of the annual book sale Friends of the Library remains very active and dedicated in providing its housebound service. Friends of the Library also continue to conduct fundraising raffles.
Our Friends of the Library volunteers do a wonderful and much appreciated job raising funds, promoting the Library, and providing a Library service to the housebound. Bundaberg Regional Libraries wishes to thank our FOL volunteers for their continued dedication and hard work.
If any member of the public wishes to volunteer their time to Friends of the Library, please do not hesitate to contact the Library. Your efforts will be much appreciated.
Return of the Book Sale
The Library Book Sale returned to Bundaberg in 2009. This time it was in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bundaberg East. It has continued to be a great success and has raised needed funds for the Library.
