Discussion of Activities 15 May 2004

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The following is a transcription of the discussion at the Friends of the Library meeting on Saturday, May 15 in Concord. Discussion led by Tom Ladd.
Tom asked for the group to offer ways they had fundraised:

MADBURY – funded a summer program for poetry writing for the children in town.

EFFINGHAM – is planning a Book Sale on Memorial Day weekend; a silent auction and sale in July; a House and Garden Tour in August; Golf Tournament in September; Craft show in November. All to set up a Children’s Room in the library and to expand the library.

BARRINGTON – Adopt a Magazine – a fundraising effort to have people buy a subscription with the Friends underwriting one-half the magazine subscription.

LINCOLN – a Murder Mystery Dinner series in March. Performers and volunteers worked together to do a dinner theatre.

AMHERST – Student Art Show – an open house with teaching artists and parents taking part – more than 500 people came.

MOULTONBOROUGH – Author luncheon

DOVER – has a monthly program to meet people on the third Wednesday of each month, to provide refreshments and to invite various authors, artists, publishers

NORTH HAMPTON – Wine Tasting and Clambake YES!!!!!!!!

PLAINFIELD – asked various artists to create the cover for a handmade blank book which were then auctioned off to the highest bidders.

GOFFSTOWN – Ski and Skate Sale and book sale and a knitting club
A NUMBER OF TOWNS: Passes to various museums in the area and in Boston
High School and Middle School girls to have their writings published
Selling totes with the logo or other inscription on side

DOVER – Notecards, aerial maps of town, backpacks, etc.

EFFINGHAM – Book Lovers’ calendars, bookmarks

WILTON– Christmas ornaments

WASHINGTON – Mugs

MANY TOWNS – Plant Sales

MANY SUGGESTIONS to sell things at voting day

GOSHEN – Rabies Clinic – the vet and the Friends share in proceeds

CHESTERFIELD – A group quilt which is raffled off

DERRY – during Derry Fest, a book sale – buy a tote and fill it free – buy a plastic bag for a buck and fill it free. Gets rid of used books

MANY – Free book sale – donations accepted
Baked goods sales
White elephant sale
Ongoing book sale
Sale during July 4 town event

MADBURY – Town election book sale

DERRY – Reference librarian online sale of various books

WILTON – Book Dealer Club – for $5.00 the right to check the sale early for first choice.

MANY TOWNS – Annual perennial sale – friends get first choice often

HUDSON – Monthly book sale, second Sunday of every month; in June, open to schoolteachers for classes.

BARRINGTON – Thanksgiving baskets for food pantries; the baskets include a children’s book

WASHINGTON – Sell books for people to buy and read in fall

ROCHESTER – Baskets of books are kept in various locations (doctor’s office, hairdresser, etc.) for children to read.

EXETER – Sends books to Indian children

GOFFSTOWN – Sends playing cards set up as flash cards to Belize

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH LEFTOVER BOOKS FROM BOOK SALES?

WILTON – Send to shelters

EFFINGHAM – Donate to Effingham Preservation sale and they donate leftovers to the local nursing home

GOFFSTOWN – Donate to children’s program yard sale

SEVERAL – Store to sell next year

FOOD:

AMHERST – hosts a Wine Dinner at the Exeter Inn – the charge is $45, their return is $20

GOFFSTOWN – hosted a Krispy Kreme sale. More than 300 dozen K. K.’s sold and delivered to Goffstown where they were picked up in record time.

MANY TOWNS – Potluck Dinners
Baked pies and goods for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Lemonade on July 4
Catered meals for election day to workers - $10-$11 per meal

HOW DO YOU INCREASE YOUR NUMBERS?

1. You can call a list of friends and ask: Do you want to help? What event would interest you? How much time can you give us? Then only call these folks for the event in which they have an interest. Have a sign in sheet at the book sale and get people then.
2. Always have membership forms at your book sales and other events.
3. Amherst: Send a brochure to every resident in town
4. Pittsfield: How do you charge dues? Replies: Charge dues and then offer discounts on trips, tickets, early access to book sales, etc., an extra week on your library loans

AND LOTS OF P.R. AND PUBLICITY!