LOCAL LITERACY
The Jones County Public Library held an appreciation luncheon for the Jones County Friends of the Library Oct. 17, showing how much they value the funds raised the Friends of the Library donates to them for the library’s various needs.
Sarah Hancock, president of the Jones County Friends of the Library, said the lunch was fantastic, and everyone appeared to enjoy themselves. She said she enjoyed spending time at the library with everyone.
“Mrs. Julie called us and said she wanted to do something for the library’s appreciation of Jones County’s Friends of the Library,” she said. “The library has meant a lot to us, and they decided to do this luncheon. We enjoyed it very much.”
She said they have raised close to $20,000 during the seven years the Jones County Friends of Library has been using the funds from their used book sales to give to the Jones County Public Library. She said people should definitely come out to the next sale.
“Jones County Friends of the Library is important for the county and community, because reading is one of the most important things I can think of you need to know how to do. We hope to encourage parents to get their children books. I try to tell my grandchildren that math and reading are two of the most important subjects they will ever take in school,” Hancock said.
Julie King, branch manager of the Jones County Public Library, said the money the Jones County Public Library gets from Friends of the Library goes to buying new books for the library. She said the Jones County Friends of the Library works tirelessly, and they decided to do the luncheon to show their appreciation.
“It was National Friends of the Library week, and we wanted to have something here at the library to honor our Friends of the Library here in Jones County, because they are phenomenal,” she said. “All of the proceeds they make from their old used book sales come here, and a few months ago they gave us a check for $6,000.”
The branch manager said the ladies looked like they had a great time at the luncheon. She said she hopes they realize how much the Jones County Public Library appreciates them and all of their help.
“The ladies in Friends of the Library are amazing, and they work so hard for Jones County. If people in the community want to get books, the sales are a great time to go do so. It supports the library, and the books don’t cost very much at all,” King said.
Hancock said the next book sale will be Nov. 12, then the next after that will be on Dec. 10. She said the book sales are always on the second Saturday of every month. She said they have lots of books for everyone, and the books are priced very cheap. She hopes people will take advantage of the sales.
“Before the Friends of the Library, I would come here and check out books at the library,” she said. “Everyone here is always very helpful, and they have always been willing to help me find what I need. I enjoy coming in to just talk to everyone who works here. The lunch was great, and we hope to keep supporting them.”
