With little fanfare or recognition, volunteers with the nonprofit Friends of the Library work quietly and efficiently at the Library Friends Gift Shop and the Friends of the Library Used Book Depot. Each year they raise and donate roughly $100,000 to supplement funding received by the county for the Indian River County Library System, which includes the Main Library in Vero Beach, North County Library in Sebastian, Brackett Library at Indian River State College and the Gifford Library at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center.
Last Wednesday, as a way to show off some of the varied items available at the Gift Shop and raise some money in the process, volunteers from the Friends Gift Shop hosted a well-attended Fashion Show and Fundraising event. In just a couple of hours, attendees purchased roughly $900 worth of Gift Shop items and $1,200 was raised through donated silent auction items and donations. The half-dozen models showed off a wide range of items, from wearables to accessories, and guests also enjoyed some yummy treats baked by volunteers.
“So many times people come into the gift shop and say, ‘This is the best kept secret!’ And we say,’ NO, we don’t want it to be a secret’,” said Pam Gower.
“It was just an idea I had,” said Gift Shop Buyer/Senior Manager Irene Moretti of the Fashion Show. “So many people requested that we do it again so we’re considering making it an annual event. All the people who came were very supportive. Without them the library would have far fewer advantages than it has.”
“We get all our money from membership, running the Used Book Depot and the Library Gift Shop, which is a little gem,” said Friends Treasurer Denise Schwartz. “Every year we donate between $80,000 and $100,000 to buy equipment and books for the library. With all the cuts in government funding it helps a lot. The library [the countywide library system] is one of the top three in the state based on circulation and the number of library visits.”
Children’s Librarian Patti Fuchs, who was enlisted to be the show’s moderator, provided a little information to the audience before introducing the models. “We have a nice budget compared to some libraries but we do need help,” said Fuchs. “We rely heavily on Friends to help with equipment and supplies not covered in the library budget.”
Thanks to the Friends, the library was recently able to purchase a scanner to enable the research department to scan old newspapers and records, and a 3-D printer which Fuchs hopes will soon lead to children’s 3-D printing classes. The Friends also supplement the cost of leasing books and eBooks, purchase software programs and computers, and fund children’s and adult programs and other incidentals.
“Basically the director of the library [Mary Snyder] tells us what she needs that is not in the budget and then then the board votes on what we’re going to fund. She points out the things that are not in their budget for the coming year but that would be really beneficial to the people of the community,” explained Moretti, who serves on the Friends board along with Gift Shop Co-Manager, Paula Sadlon, and Assistant Manager, Angela Ahif. “Some are small things and some are really big things. We tell them to go ahead and order it, and then our treasurer actually writes the check to the vendor.”
Membership ($15) is open to everyone and supports the entire library system. Members receive a 10 percent discount at the Gift Shop. There is also a Friends of the North County Library which provides additional support to that facility.