Friends of the Library wants to add you into its membership book. The non-profit organization has started a drive to boost memberships for the coming year. The money from membership will go to help fund programs at the popular Bruton Memorial Library.
The library is frequented by more than 40,000 cardholders. Plant City has a population of only about 35,000.
“You know what that means — like many of our city services like parks and rec — people are coming from all over East County,” Felix Haynes said.
Haynes is special assistant to the city manager for library operations and president of Friends of the Library.
The membership year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 and can be joined for as little as $5. The highest membership category is benefactor at $1,000. Memberships are accepted after Oct. 1, as well.
Membership benefits many programs at the library. The annual budget is $30,000. Last year, membership fees were used to conduct three book sales, revive a long-term mystery dinner theater, hold membership-wide meetings with special guest speakers on local and Florida history, and publish four newsletters. $8,831 were used to support library enhancements, programs and staff training.
The group also oversees the maintenance of some equipment, such as the copy machine and the aquarium.
“The kids like (the aquarium),” Haynes said. “I’ve seen them surrounding it. They get mesmerized.”
Goals for the 2014-15 year include drafting a memorandum for the library board and the Friends organization to clarify roles, strengthening membership outreach efforts and strengthening ties to other Friends organizations in the area, among other aims.
In addition to new members, the group is looking for volunteers. Different areas to volunteer range from working with the adult, teen or children’s programs, library tasks and hospitality.
“The Bruton Memorial Library is a great thing,” Haynes said. “And we exist to support it.”
To become a friend of the library, contact Haynes at (813) 441-4451.
FAST FACTS
Registered borrowers: 48,073
Circulation: 365,253
Holds placed: 41,609
Library visits: 251,003
