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LARCHMONT, N.Y. Larchmont children who are decorating their scarecrows for the upcoming scarecrow festival most likely dont understand who the Friends of the Larchmont Library are, but that doesnt seem to hinder their craft.
"The mission is to raise money and fund projects that aren't otherwise funded by the library board," said David Kettig, a previous president and current board member of the Friends of the Larchmont Library.
Kettig spent Saturday morning helping fellow board member Wendy Raso register people for the scarecrow festival, which will display children's decorated scarecrow heads on the front lawn of the library during the Ragamuffin Parade Oct. 22.
"It's a great fundraising arm of the library," said Raso, who has garnered greater focus on fundraising through children's events. "We're just starting children's programs through the Friends to compliment what the children's librarian Rebecca Eller is doing."
To decorate scarecrows costs $25 for members of the Friends of the Larchmont Library and $35 for non-members.
Sunday marks the beginning of the sixth annual National Friends of Libraries Week, offering Friends groups to promote their community outreach programs and raise awareness from Oct. 16 to 22. The celebrations also allow library staff and board of trustee members to recognize such Friends groups and support local libraries.
The celebration was coordinated by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association with approximately 5,000 Friends of the Library, trustee, foundation and individual members and affiliates representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters.
"I'm convinced that the libraries are so much richer for the enthusiasm and expertise that the Friends bring to the Library," said Sally Gardner Reed, executive director of ALTAFF, in a statement. "I hope that libraries across the country will use this week to honor their best supporters the Friends of their Library and use this opportunity to promote and expand their membership in this valuable organization."
Friends groups, library trustees, and library staff can access a variety of online resources to help them celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week. Materials available on the ALTAFF website include promotional ideas, editable publicity materials, camera-ready bookmarks, ideas from past celebrations, and more.
"They support us," said June Hesler, interim director of the Larchmont Public Library. For more information on the Friends of the Larchmont Library, click here.
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