Our Mission: The Friends is a non-profit volunteer organization that raises funds to support specific Library needs that are outside of the annual operating budget and that enhance the services offered to Library patrons. We are also raising funds for library expansion.
Funding: The Friends funding comes from membership dues, special events and fundraisers, grants, donations, and memorial gifts. Each month, the Friends book sales draw crowds of Ocean Shores residents and visitors to the book room at 710 Pt. Brown Avenue to browse and buy. Always a huge success, the Book Sales are a win-win opportunity for readers of every age and, at the same time, serve to raise several thousand dollars annually to fund the Library's "wish list." The Friends also owns and maintains the photocopier in the library both as a service to the library and its patrons, and as a fundraiser. We also republished and sell Margaret Rasmussen's history of Ocean Shores. Many years ago, Margaret donated all future income from her book to the Friends.
Activities: The Friends focuses its energy primarily on fundraising to support library programs. Recent accomplishments include:
· Agreed to povide $14,000 to the Library re-siding effort when dry rot was found in the siding and some structural wood.(2008)
· Purchased a digital projector for the Library. (2008)
· Voted to provide up to $1,000 each year to the Children's Reading Program and $1,000 to the Teen Activities Programs at the library. (2008)
· Adopted the Large Print and NW Books sections at the Library, by making $2,000 available for new purchases in (2008)
· Ongoing Raffle, book sales, and book bag/T-shirt sales (2008)
· Held a terrific Plant, Collectibles and Garage Sale on Memorial Day Weekend to raise funds for the Library Programs and expansion - thanks to everyone who contributed and came by to buy something (2008)
· Sponsored the July Harry Potter Party, celebrating the publication of the 7th and final Harry Potter book by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We also sold 50 of the books at the event and donated Harry Potter T-shirts for the library staff and their helpers, as well as multiple prizes (2007)
· Published our newsletter, BOOKMARK, twice a year.
