The Friends of the East Greenwich Free Library is an all-volunteer organization that shares a common vision of superior library services accessible to all.
We envision the library as a vibrant community learning center and gathering place. We support the Library’s mission by:
- Promoting library activities in the community
- Creating awareness of library resources and services
- Fostering adult and children’s educational, social, and cultural activities
- Encouraging gifts and raising funds to sponsor activities, purchase materials, and make physical improvements that remain beyond the reach of the Library’s annual budget
- Providing volunteer opportunities.
2019-2020 PROGRAMS
1st & 3rd Monday of every month – Mindfulness Meditation 6-8pm (excluding holidays when Library is closed)
Contact Us
Interested in Volunteering or offering a program suggestion?
82 Peirce Ave. East Greenwich, RI 02818
401-884-9510
Email: friendseglibrary@gmail.com
Visit us on Facebook at Friends East Greenwich Free Library
News
RI Library Association Honors Friends of the East Greenwich Library for Outstanding Contributions
On May 22, 2019, at Bryant University, the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) honored the Friends of the East Greenwich Free Library with a RILA Meritorious Friends of the Library Award.
Awards are presented each year at the association's annual conference. The RILA Executive Board determines award recipients based on letters of recommendation. The Meritorious Library Award is “… conferred upon citizens [and groups] who are neither librarians nor library trustees who have made outstanding contributions to quality library service.”
During 2019, the Friends continued offering long-standing commitment and outstanding contributions to Library services. The Friends have been a steadfast and intrepid group of Library volunteers who have dedicated their time and expertise to supporting Library services and programs, with a vision that all enjoy the Library as a community learning and gathering place. The subscriber email list exceeds 325, and the relationship between staff, volunteers, patrons, and the general public is warm and welcoming.
The Friends are led by a small committee who oversee administrative activities, including research into Library patron interests and Library needs. Using diverse skills, the committee also plans, organizes, directs, and controls a dynamic and eclectic calendar of programs, and engages subject-matter experts for program presentation.
The Friends leadership committee consists of Natalie Higgins, President; Cele Marks, Secretary; Sandra Norris, Treasurer; Gloria DePaola, Program Officer; Celene Healy, Hospitality Officer; Paulette Miller, Communications Officer; and Mary Welch, General Officer. Mary Beth Dumouchel, Jeanne Crofton, and Janice Murphy are three additional and important volunteers who serve, when needed, as special project coordinators. The leadership committee meets monthly. Library Director, Karen Taylor participates as a non-voting committee member. Many of the committee members have provided the Library with more than a decade of volunteer service.
Although the Library is small in size, it is big in programming. Using a calendar filled with diverse events, the Friends host standing-room only crowds who not only enjoy the programming, but also gather to share conversation, as well as coffee and treats supplied by the Friends and community partner Starbucks.
Speaking of community partners, the Friends know that collaboration accelerates value. For instance, with the presentation of the 2018 8th annual juried art exhibit, Winter's Eve, the Friends engaged twenty local businesses, other nonprofits, and individuals who generously made monetary contributions, as well as donated food, awards, and services.
Entering its 9th year, the event is a community highlight and tradition. The annual Book Sale, Jewelry Sale, and annual Winter's Eve Juried Art Exhibit (looking forward to the 9th annual!) are all highly profitable fundraisers that support Library services, programs, and equipment. The Friends have helped purchase bookshelves, electric fireplaces, digitization machines, museum passes, and among other things - even a walk-in castle for the children's room!
The Friends maintain a dynamic presence on social media and the Library website. They use an electronic invitation platform, as well as print media for the sharing of information. Their efforts consistently draw a large and enthusiastic number of program participants. Often the room is filled to capacity. The Friends have learned the power of friendship, good communication, and the magic of a high performance work team.
By sharing and blending a strong mission, vision, and values, the Friends promote and sustain the East Greenwich Free Library as a unique and valuable resource. The Friends recognize that an engaged public can build community, and East Greenwich Free Library serves as a vital community cornerstone. It is a beautiful town gem. Working together, the Friends keep that stone polished. In fact, the Friends smile and proudly say that they make this small stone building rock!
