Friends of the Library hold a fling

For the Friends of the Library, their mission is all about taking up the slack where funds are not available to do something. Leslie Heppe, Friends’ president, said that they step in when something needs done that the county is not able to do or the budget does not allot for to protect the future of the library.

“If the county doesn’t have the money to do something, somebody has to take up the slack,” Heppe said. “And that’s what we’ve been doing for the five years that I’ve been president. We’ve remodeled, painted and put up the computer stations.”

Of course, all of the projects that the Friends’ focus on require some form of fundraising. In the past, the Friends’ have always focused on several activities to raise money for various items, but this year, they are going to be pooling their efforts into one main event, the 1st Annual Friends of the Library February Fling: Ready for Spring.

Heppe said that the reason they are going to focus on one event rather than several is that this is a model the Friends of the Library in Bozeman utilize. She said that they plan to get the whole community involved as well as other nonprofit organizations.

“We’re going to have one huge bake sale, one huge book sale,” Heppe said. “It will be our only book sale and bake sale for the year so we’re planning big.”

Heppe said that exposure at other events, such as the fair don’t go well because the nonprofit organizations are always stuck in the back corner. At the fling, which will be held on February 26, the library will be selling bowls of chili and a roll as well as other baked goods. Bags of books and individual books will also be for sale at a variety of prices.

She said they plan to keep prices fairly low, but profitable. She said that the Friends’ plan to take up the whole left side of the 4-H building where the event will be held, but other nonprofits are welcome to set up a small shop in the remaining space. She said this will be a great time for them to get their information out into the community. She said that they are not charging a dollar amount for space, only asking for a donation to the Friends. A space will also be made available for kids’ craft table so that they can also enjoy being there.

Money raised, Heppe said, will go toward whatever is needed. However, most of the money will be funneled toward the summer reading program and other activities that they do for the kids throughout the year.

“And that’s the whole idea,” Heppe said. “One of the reasons we have the pumpkin decorating thing is to get the kids to the library so they can realize it’s not just a place to go and look for a book and people tell you to shut up. That’s not a modern library. The modern library is becoming more of a community library.”

Heppe said that when they have Santa Clause, he hands out sacks that are filled with candy and a book.

“And it’s gratifying when you’ve done that for five years and rather than looking for the candy, the kids are looking for a book, which is fantastic if you’re a book person,” Heppe said.

She said the flat screen television that’s in the kids’ room at the library isn’t there to encourage kids to watch more television, but serves as a tool.

“After watching something, like Happy Feet, it’s about going and finding a book about penguins afterwards,” Heppe said. “It’s an entry way.”

Heppe said that the Friends have appreciated the support of the community. She said that as soon as anyone mentions the Friends, people are really enthusiastic.

“We hope they come out and really get into this fling too,” Heppe said, “and have fun and get behind us. The money goes for a good cause.”

The fling will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 26. If you have further questions or want more information on the fling, call Heppe at 822-4650 or Florence Evans at the library, 822-3563.