Friends in deed: Volunteers support public library

They wear red shirts and wander around the library, shelving books and signing people up for reading programs. They are the Friends of the Maricopa Public Library.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting the local library. These volunteers raise money, run programs and hold special events to enhance the Maricopa Public Library.

“I found that volunteering gives you a sense of giving back and releases endorphins with a ‘feel good’ mode attached,” said Chairwoman Joan Garrett. “With the Friends you have a feeling of not only giving back, but being involved with your community and their literacy agenda.”

By supporting that agenda, Garrett said, Friends support the library staff in whatever is needed to benefit the community.

Beginning with a small bookshelf in an insurance office next to the Post Office in 1958, the Friends of the Library has helped grow the Maricopa Public Library.

Hosting author events featuring OneBookAZ winners, a short-story contest and special events featuring Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter are just some of the programs Friends help with. Summer and winter reading programs bring together the community in a spirit of literacy, with more than 700 participants in each event.

Each spring and fall, the group hosts a book sale, such as the Oct. 27 book sale starting at 8 a.m. at Santa Rosa Elementary School. In addition to the book sales, there is a used-book area of the library where people can purchase cheap books, DVDs and CDs.

“It’s amazing to see our fellow Maricopans perusing the tables all in search of a good read,” member Roberta Cianciosi said. “What one donates becomes another one’s treasure. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve found at these sales that now dot the shelves of my own personal library, as well as the one in my classroom.”

Funds from the sales purchase new books for the library, hold special programs such as Harry Potter or author events, and award scholarships to college-bound seniors.

Scholarship applications are available at the schools, and include basic information such as GPA and test scores, as well as a short essay and two recommendations. Last year, two $2,000 scholarships were awarded with the help of matching funds from the city. Scholarship applications are available at the schools.

This scholarship program is one of Garrett’s favorites.