History of The Friends
Prior to the opening of Horsham Library, a Book Brigade was created, consisting of supportive township residents who volunteered their time to work tirelessly over many months, unpacking boxes of books and placing them on the new library shelves. In 2006, Mary Dare, in collaboration with Mike Colucci, contacted members of the Book Brigade and other leaders in the community to form the first Friends of The Horsham Library Board. This group of 20 Friends began to meet monthly. Of that initial group of Friends, three still serve on the Friends Board sixteen years later. Other interested supporters became Active Members of the Friends group, donating their time and money to the mission of the Friends.
The support of the Friends of the Horsham Township Library has been crucial to me in the planning of exciting family programs, especially for the annual Summer Reading events. With their funding, I have the freedom to seek out the best performers, educators, and incentives to create a fun-filled summer for our families. - Ellyn B. - Children's Librarian, Horsham Library
The Friends' Mission helps not only the Horsham Library Community but it has helped me to meet more neighbors, and the chance to welcome newcomers to our area.
It has encouraged me to
participate and volunteer
with programs that are fun,
educational and brings
joy to many. - Jean Marie B.
Corresponding Secretary,
Friends of the Horsham
Library Board
Many events were planned that provided entertainment and socializing opportunities for Horsham Township families while raising funds to aid library projects and programs. An annual Bookmarker’s Ball was an event held in November with refreshments, a silent auction, a band, and dancing. A Rock ‘n’ Read auction was another evening of fun organized by the Friends. In 2011, the Friends sponsored a Miniature Golf experience held inside the library with some holes being framed by books. An Antique Road Show was a way for those in Horsham to learn the value of their trinkets and treasures by having them evaluated by a professional auctioneer. Workers for the library, including teenagers and staff, were invited to an Annual Volunteer Picnic so they could be properly thanked for their contributions.
The Friends have sponsored visits from an array of speakers, spanning authors like Jennifer Weiner and Lisa Scottoline and cooking experts like Marie Liberati and Christina Pirello. One young adult writer, Michael Buckley, paid a visit to Horsham and through the coordinated efforts of the Hatboro Horsham Education Foundation and the Friends of Horsham Library, teens and adults benefited from workshops in which he shared writing ideas and tips. There were also day bus trips to such places as Washington, DC to see the cherry blossoms and Vietnam Memorial, and to Hyde Park in New York to enjoy the Culinary Institute of America. With such a wide range of ways to raise funds to support the work of the Horsham Library, the current Friends board has a firm foundation on which to continue to engage our community with creative activities and adventures.
The Friends have been a very caring and, simply put, friendly group who've always gone out of their way to support our entire staff either via encouraging words any time a member is in the building or by providing us lovely complimentary snacks and meals throughout the year. They make this library a better place.
- Bryan S. - Reference and Young Adult Services Librarian, Horsham Library