The Friends of the Jackson County Public Library will be celebrated Oct. 20 through 26 as part of the 14th annual National Friends of Libraries Week.

The group was formed in 1977 to support the Seymour Public Library. The organizing officers were Wayne Proell, temporary chairman; Carol Wait, secretary; and Herbert Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. William Schmitt, Betty Elsner, Judy Michael, Marita Douglas and Leora Topie, members of the bylaws committee.

Current officers are January Rutherford, president; Teddi Ashcraft and Linda Jacobsen, vice presidents; Billie Richardson, secretary; and Sandi Hall, treasurer. Jim Daily, Joyce Fouts and Diane Kemling are board members.

Today, the Jackson County Public Library provides free library services to area residents. While public funding covers the costs of salaries for professional staff, utilities and other operational costs, the library often looks to private sources of funding for a portion of the budget each year.

The bulk of that annual private funding comes from the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library through its book sales and special events such as the Oktoberfest parking lot.

This year, the group has donated more than $10,000 to provide special programming such as the summer learning program prizes and programs, adult program speakers, Seymour Rotary’s "I Like Me" books, build-a-bear programs, library staff development, seasonal window painting at the Seymour Library and more.

The Friends group is always looking for more volunteers to help support the library. Some current opportunities include:

• Every other month book sale. Setup begins on the morning of Nov. 1. Volunteers, especially those who can lift boxes of books, are needed to arrange the books on tables by subject. The sale opens with a preview for Friends members from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1. The sale is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2.
• Ongoing book sales. Donations come in daily and have to be processed. The Seymour Library Book Nook shelves are stocked weekly to ensure a good selection. Occasional boxes of books also are sent to the Crothersville and Medora libraries for their sales carts. To volunteer to help with these flexible activities, contact Ashcraft at [email protected] or Rutherford at [email protected].

Even if someone can’t volunteer for one of these events, they can help by becoming a member of the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

Applications are available at the checkout desk at the Seymour, Crothersville or Medora libraries, online at myjclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Join-the-Friends.pdf or by mailing the membership fee to Friends of the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour, IN 47274.

Membership categories are member, $5; family, $10; patron, $25; benefactor, $50; or any amount you wish to contribute.