An enthusiastic group of volunteers has opened a new chapter of the Friends of the Easton Public Library. Formed in 1979 by 11 civic-minded women, the friends is a non-profit fundraising arm to support the library. With the friends’ support, the Easton library developed into a hub of arts and information, offering programs and events for the entire community.
But membership in the friends declined in recent years, closing the book on the once dynamic group. Library Director Lynn Zaffino thanked the former members for their years of dedicated service and began a search for new members. She wanted to ensure that Easton children grow up with a supported library. It didn’t take long for enthusiastic new volunteers to step up and get involved.
“The Friends of the Easton Library has been around for a long time and from what I understand the last couple of years it faded out,” said Beth Cliff, president of the newly revived friends. “The library director was looking for volunteers to rejuvenate and restart it, and so that’s what we are doing now. It’s a whole new set of people, a whole new agenda, and a whole new look at it.”
The first meeting was in January, and two or three people answered the call, Cliff said. “In February, there were maybe five of us, and I was one of those people. I started doing social media, and the next meeting we had about 25 people say they were interested with nine or 10 people at the meeting.”
A pretty stable group of seven or eight people have been meeting monthly, Cliff said. In addition to her role as president, other officers are Patti Romaniello, treasurer; Sheila Stowe-Merchant, secretary; and Renee Neiger, webmaster and liaison to the library board.
Working along with the board are Volunteer Planning Committee members Kelly Byrne, Janelle Krizek, Saphora Lifrak, Phyllis Machledt and Victoria Romaniello.
“There are two different kinds of involvement we are looking for,” Cliff said. “Volunteers, who organize events and do the work, and members, who pay a small amount of money and are just our supporters.”
The new friends held its first online fundraiser on April 7 and raised over $4,800. In the future the Town of Easton can expect many more fundraising events to raise money and awareness for the library, Cliff said.
A Wine and Cheese event is planned for Wednesday, June 23 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Sport Hill Farm with a rain date of June 24 . Elizabeth Drew of Drewlizcious will cater the grazing boards and Tara Cook of Scout & Cellar Wine will provide the wines for the tasting.
A Used Book Sale is planned for Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the library.
Community members are invited to volunteer, donate, and find out more about the Friends of the Easton Public Library. The friends meet the fourth Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. at the library.
