The Warren County Public Library is incredibly fortunate to have a supportive network of “Friends” helping us expand our mission and our reach! For over 25 years, Friends of the Library – Warren County (aka the FOL) has been an active non-profit volunteer organization providing support to the library and funding for programs, materials, and equipment which would be impossible otherwise.
WCPL’s Friends group first organized in 1988 and has grown and expanded over the years into a flourishing network of dedicated supporters. Group members act as ambassadors for the library in the community, raising awareness of the library’s achievements and needs. They are some of the library’s biggest cheerleaders, which we appreciate immensely!
Very recently, the Friends made an incredible purchase for the children’s area at the Lisa Rice Library: a creative seating fixture made in the likeness of Bowling Green’s water tower on Hospital Hill! The “BG Kids’ Water Tower” was donated to the library in recognition of the many years of dedication and service of Lynn Kruger, who served on the FOL board and as president. We love it, and library patrons – young and old – have been enamored with it, as well!
The FOL has funded various special projects and programs through the years. The group provides title sponsorship and very strong volunteer support for the library’s Summer Reading Program, and has allowed us to host a Winter Reading Program, as well.
Historically, the FOL may be best known for the hard work put in every year at its annual used book sale, which has traditionally been its largest fundraiser of the year. In addition to sorting and boxing up donations through the year in anticipation of the fall sale, volunteers spend many hours laboriously setting up and running the one-night, three-day sale. This year, the sale is scheduled to take place September 12-15 at the Bob Kirby Branch Library.
FOL members saw a dream come to life when the library began managing the Capitol in 2021. The space in the historic building previously designated as an art gallery seemed to be a perfect spot for bringing to reality an idea that had been tossed around for a number of years: having a dedicated area for book sales year ‘round! With just a few additions – including book shelving and display units – the space was transformed! Now, the Capitol Books is a lovely downtown store that sells like-new books as its mainstay. It also carries puzzles, games, cards, music CDs, and DVDs. Managed by volunteers Monday through Friday 10am-4pm (and during some special evening / weekend events), the store enjoys catering to locals and out-of-town visitors.
If you’d like to become a Friend of the Library member, you will also benefit! Membership provides an invitation to the members-only book sale preview as well as opens opportunities for you to volunteer. Plus, you’ll always enjoy the satisfaction of supporting your local public library! Membership dues are very affordable ($10/individual, annual | $25/family, annual | $100/individual, lifetime) and are tax deductible. To join, fill out the form on this page (downloadable also at https://warrenpl.org/friends), scan the QR code to pay via PayPal, then mail the form, or send it with a check payable to Friends of the Library / Warren County to the following address: FOL Membership, 175 Iron Skillet Ct., Bowling Green, KY 42104.
Even if you decide not to become an FOL member now, you CAN lend them your support as a library patron by signing up for the Kroger Rewards Program and selecting the FOL as your recipient! A portion of your purchases will be donated to the organization each time you shop! Those amounts add up yearly, and all funds are used to support the library!
WCPL appreciates FOL members so very much, and we are so thankful for the positive impact the group has made on the library, its staff, and the library community at large. If you’re a Friend, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you know a Friend, please thank them, too. We couldn’t do it without them.
-by Ashley Fowlkes, Warren County Public Library