FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friends of the Newport News Public Library, other volunteers recognized

On April 13, the Newport News City Council issued a proclamation honoring the volunteers, which was accepted by the president of the Friends, Richard Davis. Volunteers also were recognized with a reception on April 14, where the 32 volunteers in attendance were thanked by Mayor Joe Frank, on behalf of the City of Newport News, the Library Board of Trustees and the Library staff.

Friends of the Newport News Public Library President Richard Davis, left, helps customer Tom Wiatt with his purchases at the March book sale at West Avenue Library.

Volunteers provided more than 7,129 hours of service and $28,000 to the Newport News Public Library System during fiscal year 2009.

The Library volunteers, including the largest contributor -- the Friends of the Newport News Public Library -- were honored and recognized during National Library Week and National Volunteer Week.

On April 13, the Newport News City Council issued a proclamation honoring the volunteers, which was accepted by the president of the Friends, Richard Davis. Volunteers also were recognized with a reception on April 14, where the 32 volunteers in attendance were thanked by Mayor Joe Frank, on behalf of the City of Newport News, the Library Board of Trustees and the Library staff.

“Volunteers support special projects, assist with the Summer Reading Program, and assist with processing new books,” said Mayor Frank at the reception, held in the Newport News City building at City Center. “During the past fiscal year, 166 volunteers provided over 7,129 hours of service to the Library System, which equates to a value of over $124,686. The Friends of the Newport News Public Library worked 5,069 of these hours and, in addition, donated more than $28,000 to fund programs and for the purchase of equipment and supplies for the Library System.”

Anyone who has used the services or attended programs of the Newport News Public Library System has benefited from the work of the Friends of the Newport News Public Library, which includes 195 members, 55 of which regularly volunteer.

“Our objective is to raise funds for Library programs and to encourage reading within the community,” said Jacqui Falls, immediate past president of the Friends group.

According to the Friends’ Annual Report in 2009, the group donated thousands of dollars to support the Summer Reading Program; branch programs for children, teens, and adults; the Virginia Peninsula Literary Consortium; Library staff scholarships; and more. Since 2007, the Friends group has distributed more than 2,500 used children’s books to local community members as well as schools in Belize, India, the Philippines, and Mexico.

 “The Friends are a critical component of the Library’s success at providing lifelong learning opportunities by funding a variety of programs for all ages,” said Newport News Public Library System Director Izabela Cieszynski.

The Friends raise money through membership fees and by selling gently used books, DVDs, bestsellers and more at the Bookstore, located inside Main Street Library, and at book sales held at least four times a year, where book prices start at just 25 cents. 

Books, CDs, videos and DVDs that are donated to the Newport News Public Library System are passed on to the Friends for the Book Store and Book Sales. Funds raised help provide programs and services at the Libraries. Donations are accepted at all Libraries.

 “We make books available at a low price,” said Davis, current president of the Friends. The Bookstore is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday  2 - 4 p.m. It is closed on holidays. The next book sale is June 24-26 at Main Street Library. For more information about the Friends of the Newport News Public Library, the Bookstore and the book sales, please visit http://www.nngov.com/library/resources/support.

###