Touch-a-Truck next Friends of the Library event

To the Editor:

Too few people know about a great not-for-profit group in Putnam County -- the Friends of the Library. Their mission is to promote literacy, the love of reading and the freedom to read.

They support the public library with fundraising, educational programs and volunteer service. They are one of multiple such organizations throughout the United States, all working with their local library staff and patrons to achieve the best service and facilities possible.

The Friends devote many hours to reading programs, Halloween free book program, summer movies, events and speakers, promotional items, First Friday book sales, and now in its third year, the Touch-a-Truck.

This year the fundraiser is scheduled for June 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greencastle High School parking lot. The parking lot will be filled with all types of vehicles, trucks of all sizes, and each child can have great fun climbing aboard a fire truck, big rig or a backhoe. So mark your calendar and keep your eye out for promotions of the event.

Although it is difficult to prioritize the causes they serve, one of the Friends' greatest achievements has been funding the Imagination Library in our county. The Imagination Library was launched by Dolly Parton in 1995 to benefit preschool children and their families by providing them with a specially selected book each month.

The Friends, along with the support of the PCPL and the PCCF, launched this program for the children of our county in 2011. Every month in Putnam County some 700 children, ages birth through age five, receive an age-appropriate, high-quality children's book. The cost locally of such a program is in the thousands of dollars, and the Friends have worked hard to see success in raising the necessary funds for these past three years. This year, all who are familiar with their efforts and the immense benefit the program provides to so many children were thrilled, to put it mildly, when the "One Hundred + Men" who Care presented them with a large check which will help significantly in funding the program.

Jacqueline Kennedy said once, "There are many ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all." The Friends could not agree more.

This lively, active and very creative group of Friends always welcome new members, those willing to give a little time to enhancing and expanding the quality of service and education available to Putnam County residents. The Friends are seeking women and men who are anxious to serve a good cause, help with the physical and mental challenges, and, of course, have a little fun. Your insight and input are needed. You could be a part of an enterprise that seeks to provide programing and entertainment, while also advancing the education and creativity of the citizens of our fine county.

If you are reading this, you know the value of one's ability to read; the excitement of exploring new worlds, the joy of discovery, the enhancement of the lives of our citizens. If you are interested in joining this exciting group, and we hope you are, please contact the president of the Friends -- Beverly Hughes at beverlysport@yahoo.com or Lisa Barker, the library's business operations manager, at lbarker@pcpl21.org, or also by phone at 653-2755.

Diana LaViolette

for Putnam County Public

Library Board Members