The first library in the City of Fayetteville was back in the year 1929. There were six concerned moms who felt a library was a necessary addition to their town.
They started with 100 books in a schoolroom, which later burned, then operated out of their living rooms until another school room could be obtained.
By selling various items such as jams and jellies, homemade aprons etc., on the courthouse lawn, they finally raised enough funds in 1946 to build the edifice now home to the Fayette County Historical Society.
Fayette County finally took the responsibility for the library and it is now in its third place of business since January, 1977. How many books and periodicals does it now have? Just about 119,702 for your edification.
Of course, a public library never has enough funds for the various programs it wants to offer, and the Friends of the Fayette County was formed in March, 1985 to help in raising funds to make them come true.
One of its first contributions purchased a number of public access computers in addition to the few purchased with county funds.
Among those current programs benefiting from funds raised by the group: Summer reading programs for children and teens, Baby Time and Toddler Time, well-liked by many 19,000 moms last summer, Lego Your Library, with thousands of Lego’s provided to entertain and stretch the minds of those age 4 to 11, and the program that has become quite famous, Blended Heritage, given each February.
One of the events Friends put on each year is a book sale. The events bring in 1,000 donated books, and just about 500 book lovers come to purchase them, some for a mere 25 cents to $5 for practically new recently issued novels.
What can you do to help the Friends continue their efforts? You can join, of course, for $10, individual, $5 for seniors 55 plus and students, and $25 for a family.
Equally important, start bringing in those gently-used books no longer wanted to the Fayette County Library and be sure to tell them they are for the Book Sale, then come to the next sale May 17. Buy some more books to continue those needed programs held at no charge at the library.
Contact the Friends at FFCPL.org.
