United for Libraries celebrates National Friends of Libraries Week October 16-22, 2016. The Friends of the Canton Public Library was established in 1988 with the goal of advocating and fundraising to improve library services. Today, nearly 28 years later, the Friends continue to support the library by selling used books at the Second Hand Prose bookstore and holding fundraisers throughout the year.

These dedicated Friends volunteers have donated their time as well as books, furniture, equipment, and art to the library. Since 2003, they have given more than $500,000 in these categories, as well as funds specifically for library programming, such as our Connect Your Summer program; the library's endowment fund; and spaces such as the Friends' Activity Room and the Wings of Wonder Butterfly Garden.

Their efforts have made our library the award-winning library it is today, and I hope you will join me in thanking the Friends, their board, and their volunteers for all of their contributions and hard work!

Do you want to get involved? Please consider purchasing a membership with the Friends, volunteering in Second Hand Prose, or making a donation.

Great Friends groups make great libraries, and the Canton Public Library is lucky to have ours. Happy National Friends of Libraries week!