2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Valley Center Library is a support group that was formed more than a decade ago to help promote the benefits of the library to help as many people as possible.

"Our purpose is to promote and develop the library and extend the usage of the library to the benefit of the community as a whole," says Gerald Slusser. "We think the library is our first line of support for a civil society. There has never been a great civilization that didn't have great libraries."

The one hundred or so members of the Friends meet quarterly at the library.

The Friends provide the Friends' book collection. This includes multiple copies of best sellers. Half of the books are rentals. Non-fiction books in the collection are free for the first week. This year the group added almost 200 new books to the library.

They publish a newsletter about every two months. This includes news about the library, the Friends and programs that are coming up.

They also recruit volunteers from among their ranks. The volunteers, of which there are 14 currently, provide the equivalent of three quarters of a full time person.

Twice a year the organization has its "famous book and bake sale," which provides the best book bargains, and some of the most succulent baked goods, in town. A silent auction that is ongoing also raises funds.

The quarterly meetings include programs of general interest to the community. Some include reviews of current books, one that was held recently included a lecture by Mickey Moore, who talked on overcoming disabilities. The Friends have also put on an historical tour of the town. Several years ago they brought famed science fiction author Ray Bradbury and Union Tribune columnist Jack Smith to lecture.

Special book collections at the library are also sponsored by the Friends, such as the Dos Valles Garden Club collection, and the historical collection. The Friends also provide support for children's programs in the summer.