Volunteers Support the Library

The resident volunteers belonging to Friends of the Lynbrook Public Library donate much of their time and money toward improving the village facility.

Recently, the organization — incorporated in 1983 — raised $1,200 to purchase passes for the Long Island Children's Museum and the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Library patrons can borrow the passes and attend the museums for free. Library officials say the passes are very popular. 

Last year, the organization provided $1,500 for adult and children's programs. In addition, volunteers helped take an empty, weed-filled lot next to the library and transform it into an outdoor reading garden. The organization bought benches, and Girl Scouts came and planted the garden.

Friends of the Lynbrook Public Library also provides entertainment for the celebration of the summer reading program.

Residents can get involved by making a donation to Friends of the Lynbrook Public Library, volunteering their time, or both. Thirty-six individual and family members that have made donations to the library. There is a core group of 15 people that help out with fundraisers.

"A lot of people write a check," said Carol Donaldson, president of Friends of the Lynbrook Public Library. "Then there are those that work at the fundraisers. Both are important. Friends is a fundraising organization."

The group has two main fundraisers throughout the year. In May, it runs a Victorian Tea event that sells out every year. The group sets up tables on the second floor of the library, where they serve scones, tea, sandwiches and desserts. The event raises nearly $2,000. Then, in June, the group runs an annual book sale. Many books are donated, and some old books are taken from the library's collection. The sale raises about $1,000.

Last year, the group set up a mini-golf course at the library on a Sunday. That event raised $4,000, all of which went toward the reading garden.

And this year, the organization is looking to run an indoor yard sale, where people would pay $20 for a table and sell various items.

Friends of the Lynbrook Public Library has many upcoming fundraising events, and members say they still need more residents to help out. Those interested in volunteering should leave their name and phone number at the library.

"Volunteering does not require a huge time commitment," Donaldson said. "People are just needed a few times a year as the events come up."