Book donations encouraged

Bri Brasher 
NLJ Reporter
 
In honor of National Library week, a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association each April, the 21st Century Club is encouraging the community to donate books. Sharon Fridley, president of the club, said the organization is hoping the people of Weston County will support the library and honor love ones through memorial book donations, much as the club has done for many years.  
“We donate books if we have a member who passes away — we donate a book
in memory of them. We also donate
books in honor of outgoing presidents,” Fridley said.
Fridley said the library is always in need of books. By donating, people can help the library and honor loved ones. The library has a “wish list,” Fridley said, and people can stop at the main desk to search the list for a book they think they would like or would be suitable for a memorial. Then, Fridley said, people donate the money to purchase the book, and the library orders the title. The wish list has books across genres and interests, and while the list is a nice guideline, Fridley said other books are welcome. Fridley explained that a plate goes in the front of each donated book. The plates always include the honoree’s name, and then people can personalize the plate as they see fit, possibly by including who donated the book. 
“We have supported the library since the organization was organized in 1894 and federated in 1904,” Fridley said, adding that the club is localized to Newcastle and is not a nationwide organization. The club was influential in securing funds to build the Carnegie Library in Newcastle back in the early 1900s, according to Fridley. She said the organization’s main purpose still is to support the library. 
According to Brenda Mahoney-Ayres, director of Weston County Library Systems, the 21st Century Club’s influence on the library resembles a “Friends of the Library” group.
“They are very generous with their time and resources and typically present the library with a book when a loved one or dear friend passes away. It is a wonderful way to give to the library, honor someone’s memory, and they wanted to encourage others to consider giving a book donation,” Mahoney-Ayres said. 
Mahoney-Ayres said that this year’s National Library Week theme is “Libraries = Strong Communities.” The week was first sponsored in 1958, she said. 
“National Library Week highlights the important role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities,” Mahoney-Ayres said. “Libraries are a public space where everyone in the community, regardless of age, culture or income level, can come together to connect and experience lifelong learning.”
The library will host an open house and annual used book sale on Friday, and Jennifer Shell-Bohn’s photography will be displayed. In fact, Mahoney-Ayres said, the 21st Century Club is the organization that purchased the picture rail in the meeting room that allows the library to display creative, local talent in terms of both art and photography. She said the club also decorates the enclosed cabinet in the reading area, which currently features a floral theme to celebrate spring. 21st Century Club members also bake homemade cookies for special events, according to Mahoney-Ayres. 
Fridley said that monetary gifts and magazine subscriptions are also donated by the club. 
Although the members of the 21st Century Club demonstrate a level of involvement that is exceptional, the library director said that there are plenty of other ways for residents to be involved with the local library. 
“The biggest way to be involved is to visit your library! Books can be purchased for the library through a memorial donation or via our best-seller club program,” Mahoney-Ayres said. “Learn what’s new and about special programming on our website at westoncountylibrary.org and on our Facebook page.” 
Mahoney-Ayres also said plans are underway for the Summer Reading Program, centered around the theme “A Universe of Stories.” Registration for summer reading will begin the end of May.