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National Friends of Libraries Week

National Friends of Libraries Week

October 18, 2021

In recognition of National Friends of Libraries Week, we would love you to consider joining the The Friends of the Richards Free Library. This is an active, voluntary community organization focused on enriching our library.

Our primary role is to raise money to help fund items and projects that are outside the regular library budget. These include: 

Purchase of books and audio books
Children’s programs including the Summer Performance Series
Guest Speakers
Kanopy
HeritageQuest Online
Downloadble Audio & Ebooks
Universal Class

We raise funds through membership and donations to the Friends. Click on the Membership Form to join the Friends. A significant part of our funds come from the Centurions – a special group of donors who contribute at least $100 per year. We are grateful to those who can afford to contribute at this level but value all our members.

Our major fundraiser of the year is the annual Library Festival to be held on the fourth Saturday in August. The Festival includes a large Book Sale (Members are admitted for a special “Early Bird” hour giving you the best access to the thousands of books offered for sale!), the Cookie Walk, lunch on the porch, children’s activities and an opportunity to visit with old and new friends. The Festival is held in conjunction with the Library Arts Center’s Apple Pie Craft Fair for one of Newport’s most festive days of the year!

The Friends also offer opportunities for volunteers to be involved in our Library and our community. Two years ago, we implemented First Mondays. On the First Monday each month, anyone wishing to can join us from 9 to 11 am at the Library to help staff with whatever needs doing. This grew out of our annual Christmas decorating and de-decorating and has become a monthly event. We have assembled mailings; sorted through and repaired games and puzzles; hunted for lost books; and there is always shelf reading which is far more fun when done by a group. In addition to feeling good about helping out, we also enjoy coffee and something good to eat! Come join us.

The Friends of the Richards Free Library are also part of the community’s Sunshine Diner program. We regularly provide both children’s and adult books for Diner guests to take home. And once a year, we host the monthly dinner.

Volunteer Today!

Filed Under: Friends of the Library Tagged With: Friends of the Library, National Friends of Libraries Week, Newport NH, Volunteers

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Upcoming Events

  • Kids Craft: Needle Felting
    Monday May 12, 2025
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    Tuesday May 13, 2025
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    Tuesday May 13, 2025
  • Board Game Night with The Friends of the Library~
    Tuesday May 13, 2025
  • Family Story Time
    Wednesday May 14, 2025
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    Contact Information

    58 N. Main Street
    Newport, NH 03773

    Phone Number: (603) 863-3430

    rfl@newport.lib.nh.us

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