Above L-R) Bruce Chesser (vice president), Heidrun Awad, Linda Nelson (treasurer), Olwen Pritchard (president), Sharon Hamilton (secretary), Louise Hampton, Mark Slotter.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

"Want to know the average age of our board members?" I'm asked at the October meeting of the Friends of the Bluffton Public Library. The question is posed with a laugh, but the Friends are seriously looking to grow their organization and to fill out their 11-member board.

The FOL board members are enthusiastic about the library and their role in supporting a vital community resource. "We wouldn't be here if we weren't having fun," notes Louise Hampton.

The Friends raise funds with Fall and Spring Used Book Sales and a Spring Tea and Silent Auction. These events provide financial support for the hugely popular Summer Reading Program, library staff enrichment and specific purchases. The group is well aware that state library funding can vary greatly from year to year.

At this meeting, business is dispatched in an efficient manner. The board is exploring adding Venmo to payment options at book sales, noting that college students just don't carry cash. Sponsorship of a Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast is approved. Plans for the April 22 Spring Tea are advanced, and the group agrees to move meeting times to 4:00 p.m. during November, January and February to make the most of daylight driving conditions.

The Friends' next meeting is at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19 in the library's History Room. The group will not meet in December.

There are currently some 40 dues-paying members of the Friends of the Library. A donation of $5 or more makes you a Friend. You do not have to attend monthly meetings to be involved.

Visit the library for a membership application or email [email protected] for meeting dates and more information.