Friends of the Orcas Island Library
Our Mission
- Establish and maintain an association of persons interested in a public library on Orcas Island;
- Focus public attention on and develop public support for the Library;
- Encourage and receive gifts, endowments, and bequests for the Library;
- Conduct fund raising activities for the benefit of the Library and to manage funds at its disposal for the benefit of the Library;
- Support and cooperate with the library in developing services for the community; and
- Stimulate more extensive use of the Library's resources.
MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors meets on the second Tuesday of each month, at 4:00 pm. Current meetings are hybrid via Zoom™ and on-location at the Orcas Library. Contact the Board president for more information.
volunteer activities
Contact the Library or any Friends member about joining the Friends Board, and about the many different volunteer opportunities.
- Book Sale — Library Fair: Jim Wiemeyer
- Holiday Tea Chair: TBA
- Book Donations Sorting: Jim Wiemeyer, Lynn Carter, Harold Lentzner & Andrea Reback Shmueli
- eBay Book Sales: Lynn Carter, Sue Kosiur & Robert Demarest
- Lobby Book Sales: Jim Wiemeyer
- FOIL Merchandise: TBA
- Public Relations: TBA
Annual Membership fees start at $15.
Donate to the Friends of the Orcas Library
DonateBoard of Directors
Michael Armenia — Secretary
Email Michael
Lynn Carter
Email Lynn
Robert Demarest
Email Robert
Laura Hanks
Email Laura
Susan Kosiur — Treasurer
Email Susan
Kathy Morris — President
Email Kathy
Sandi Parker — Vice President
Email Sandi
Jim Wiemeyer
Email Jim
Join Friends of the Orcas Island Library
Join, or Renew by Mail
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: Individual memberships are $15.00 per year; family memberships are $30.00 per year. Business memberships are $40.00 per year.
sign up by mail
To pay by check: click the button below.
Pay By Checkfriends store
The Friends of the Orcas Island Library has merchandise for sale*, which is available for purchase in the Library.
- Canvas Bags: $15
- Mugs: $18
- Travel Mugs: $25
- Hats: $25
- Bumper Stickers: $2.50
And, of course ... paperbacks ($1) and hardbound books ($2) and special "coffee table" books ($5) in the Library lobby.
*All proceeds from the sale of merchandise help to further the mission and activities of the Friends of the Orcas Island Library.
latest news
January 20, 2022
Dear Friends of the Orcas Island Library,
The Library did not return quite to business as usual in 2021, but it’s nearly there. The same was true for the Friends. While we once again decided it was prudent to cancel the Winter Book Sale, which is held indoors, the summer Library Fair went off without a hitch. In fact, income from the sale was more than 2/3rds higher than in 2019, our last summer sales event. The wild success of the sale is clearly a reflection of the support the Library enjoys in our community, the great selection of books we had on offer, courtesy of that same community, and no doubt a pent up demand for all the best words.
In normal years we raise funds during our two sales events, from book sales in the library lobby, the sale of selected books via eBay and to local bookstores, and lastly to a wholesaler. These funds support a multitude of programs at the Library including acquisition of new material, reading clubs for all ages, and a variety of public presentations of interest to our diverse community. At the close of 2021 the Friends were able to fully fund a grant request by the Library for more than $21,000 to support these programs.
Donation of much loved books are another way to support the Library. Orcas seems to be filled from shore to shore with avid and discerning readers. Many choose to donate books, some of considerable value, to the Friends who are then able to offer them for resale.
While sales of these books provides the bulk of our funding, membership in and contributions to the Friends of the Orcas Island Library are in many ways more critical: we can only sell a book once, while returning members are a source of sustained support. As we start a new year, please take the opportunity to renew your membership in the Friends and support the Library.
Finally, we always welcome those who would like to volunteer with the Friends. Whether helping out with our “intake” of book donations or helping to assist at our events. If you would like to learn more please contact any Board member.
In closing, the Friends Board would like very much to thank the many islanders and volunteers who help us to support our much cherished Library.
Sincerely,
Ken Gibbs
Former President
Friends of the Orcas Island Library
500 Rose Street
Eastsound WA 98245