There's a new group in town!  The Friends of the Littlestown Library recently formed to seek, and fund, a permanent home for the Littlestown Library of the Adams County Library System.

      The Littlestown Library is now in temporary quarters on King Street, through the generosity of the landlord and the Borough of Littlestown.  However, the lease is only renewable until January of 2011.  The Borough is covering rent and utilities for the temporary rented space, but is not able to provide a permanent location or additional long-term financial support.

     The Littlestown Library has approximately 4,000 users.  The economic downturn has created an increase in library usage, as families are looking for less expensive options for recreation and Internet use, and job seekers are utilizing on-line and printed resources.

      It’s obvious that something needs to be done to save our little library.  General Federation of Women’s Clubs Littlestown, the local affiliate of one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s community service organizations, stepped up to the challenge of forming a community group to address the issue.  GFWC Littlestown members have been active supporters of the Littlestown Library since its opening 12 years ago, both through volunteering and financial support (the largest donor to the Branch).  The General Federation of Women’s Clubs has a long and proud history of support for libraries, with 75% of all libraries in the United States originated by GFWC clubs.

     If we are to maintain a library in Littlestown to serve current and future users, we need to locate appropriate space (preferably donated) and raise the necessary funds to retrofit or renovate the space to accommodate the library.  The estimated cost to prepare existing space for library use could be as much as $250,000, so the Friends will be holding fundraisers and asking everyone for help and support.

     Our first event was a booth at Littlestown’s Good Old Days with a book and magazine sale that garnered a modest profit and made many members of the community aware that the group had formed.

     Bylaws have been adopted, a logo selected, a Post Office Box obtained for our permanent address, a web site established, officers elected, and membership application made to the state organization for Friends groups.

     The Adams County Library System has been most supportive and helpful in our start-up, as have the Friends of the Adams County Library.  Community groups that participated in the committee to form the Friends included the Littlestown Rotary Club, VFW Post 6954, Littlestown Historical Society, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Littlestown Chamber of Commerce, Littlestown Christian Academy, and Littlestown Lions Club.  Individuals have also come forward to join the group.

      We welcome participation from anyone interested in helping.  Monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday at 7:30 PM in the Kammerer Room of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on King Street.  For further information, please contact Kathy Vogel, President, at 717-359-8261 or via e-mail at jkvogel@hotmail.com.  Membership applications are available at the Littlestown Library.

Friends of the Littlestown Library

P O Box 304

Littlestown PA  17340-0304

www.Littlestownpa.info/FriendsofLibrary

Marcia Wilson is currently president of GFWC Littlestown, treasurer of Friends of Littlestown Library, and past state president of GFWC Pennsylvania.