Thanks to Friends of the Library, library board for support

To the Editor,

   I would like to take a moment to thank all of the volunteers who helped make the second annual Holiday on 1^st event a success. I especially want to thank everyone who helped with all of the activities we had available at the Monticello Public Library.

   We had a great group of volunteers to help with crafts and activities throughout the night. We could not have done it without the help of these wonderful people. To our Library Board members and Friends of the Library Board members who helped with serving the meal in the Veterans Hall, we thank you!

   The biggest thanks goes to our Friends of the Monticello Public Library organization. If you don’t know, they sponsored our very popular face painting station for Holiday on 1^st. They also helped sponsor our gingerbread house decorating that was available for families during the event. We had 67 gingerbread houses to decorate and ran out close to 6 p.m. with each family getting one house.

   Did you know that the Friends help fund many library programs? These same programs that we offer to the public for FREE? From paying for guest speakers, children’s programs, craft workshops, craft supplies, and snacks for programs. They contributed to the creation of our Library of Things, which offers a wide variety of non-traditional items such as a metal detector, robots, building sets, art kits, and more. These items are available for our adult patrons to check out for free. Our Summer Reading Program is completely funded by the Friends of the Library; that includes our special program guests we have over the summer.

   We couldn’t do all of the things we do at the Monticello Public Library without their support. The Friends of the Monticello Public Library are doing their annual sponsorship drive at this time. Please remember them in this season of giving. They are an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

   Thank you again for all of your help and support of the Monticello Public Library.

Penny Schmit

Youth Services

Monticello Public Library