- About
- Slideshow
- Calendar
- Book Warehouse
- Programs
- Join
- Volunteer
For more information about membership or volunteering, please contact Donna Young @ (740) 392-2665, ext. 242
- President:
- Roy Glaser
- Vice President:
- Terry Simmerman
- Secretary:
- Rick Schlegel
- Treasurer:
- Betsey Bradley
- Members-at-large:
- Ellen Robinson, Randy Metler
- Immediate Past President:
- Linette Porter-Metler
- Library Director:
- John Chidester
The Friends of the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County is a non-profit organization that works to support and strengthen our public library. As a group of concerned citizens, the Friends of the Library is dedicated to making the library the best it can be. We realize that a strong public library is a valuable intellectual, cultural, educational, and recreational resource in the Knox County community.
Started in April 1990, the Friends is a volunteer organization. Its purpose, in cooperation with the Library Board of Trustees and staff, is: to maintain an association of persons interested in the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County; to support and cooperate with the Library in developing services and the facility; to stimulate volunteer services for the library; to sponsor cultural programs, speakers, and activities at the Library for the community; and to encourage donations, gifts, and bequests to the Library.
The Friends of the Library is directed and managed by an executive committee made up of elected officers and appointed members-at-large. Some of the positions are filled with husband/wife teams. The director of the Library is a non-voting member. Meetings are held bi-monthly with an annual meeting held in October or November.
In May of 2010, The Friends opened their Book Warehouse at 13081 Coffing Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio, where books, DVD's and more are available for sale to the public. The warehouse is open Thursday-Saturday from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. and Sunday from 1 - 5 P.M. (except holidays) May through mid-November. Volunteers are needed to help staff the warehouse and need not be members of the Friends of the Library.
For membership information, or for information about volunteering at the book warehouse, please call (740)392-2665 ext. 242, Donna Young.
Click on a date on the calendar or an event in the list for more information. For a full page calendar of all Friends of the Library events, click here.
(Calendar events are subject to change. Please check back often to confirm an event.)
Friends of the Library Book Warehouse
Open Thursday-Saturday, 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. and Sunday 1 - 5 P.M. (except holidays) May through mid-November!
The Friends of the Library Book Warehouse sells used books, videos, dvd's audiobooks and more! All proceeds go to The Friends of the Library Organization to be used as needed for the library. The warehouse is open Monday-Saturday (except holidays) May through mid-November. Hours are 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. The warehouse is located at 13081 Coffing Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio (see map below.) Volunteers are always needed to work when the store is open. Stop by, look around and get some great deals! If you would like to volunteer to work in the warehouse, please call Donna Young @ (740) 392-2665, ext. 242.
View Larger Map
Programs
We support regular and special programs at public library branches in Mount Vernon, Gambier, Danville, and Fredericktown. Here are a few:
Books for Babies
FOL sponsors the Books for Babies Program at Knox Community Hospital. Each family of a newborn receives a public library card reminder, free FOL family membership, information pamphlet, and colorful first children's book to promote the importance of reading.
Book Warehouse
FOL Book Warehouse sells used books, dvd's and more to raise money to support the library in many ways. The Warehouse, located at 13081 Coffing Road in Mount Vernon, is open 1 week a month in warm weather. For more information, please click on the 'Book Warehouse' tab above or call Donna @ (740) 392-2665, ext. 242.
In the Know Team Exhibition
There is nothing more humbling for intelligent, educated adults than to have their hinny's kicked by a bunch of fast-buzzing Mount Vernon High School students during the annual "In the Know" Team Exhibition! Bring your cowbells, signs and make some noise for a change in the Mount Vernon Library lobby. Cheer on either the teens, the FOL team, the Grumpy Ole Men or the Library team. Actually, we cheer for ANYONE who can answer these tough academic trivia questions!
Poetry Slam
FOL has been proud to support many Youth Service programs, including the Teen Poetry Slam.
Volunteer Projects
We are currently seeking volunteers for the following projects.
Book Donations Helper
Donna Young at the Mount Vernon Library could use some help sorting, loading and hauling book donations. Call Donna @ (740) 392-BOOK, ext. 242 for more information.
Book Store Volunteers
We need volunteers to staff the checkout, assist customers and keep the shelves stocked. Call Donna Young @ (740) 392-BOOK, ext. 242 for more information.
Refreshment Committee
We need more volunteers on the "Cookie Brigade" to help with cookies and refreshments for special Library and friends events. Call Donna Young @ (740) 392-BOOK, ext. 242 for more information.
Website/Newsletter Teams
Volunteers are needed for the Website Development Committee, newsletter staff and Ebay/online sales team. If you enjoy writing, editing, graphics, photography or online sales, this is the place for you! Call Donna Young @ (740) 392-BOOK, ext. 242 for more information.