When her mother retired from teaching in 1974, she joined a number of volunteer groups but her favorite was “Friends of the San Lorenzo Library.” Peggy had no idea why her mother was so excited about the organization as she knew nothing about it.

Fast-forward 30 years and Peggy is asked to join a similar group called “Friends of the Greene County Library” and, as she says, “I personally discovered just what my mother loved so much.” Peggy Uehlin is now into the FOL so deep that she is concluding her second term as president.  Mom would be proud!

The local library is a phenomenal asset to the community, offering printed information that is not available to individuals, an unlimited resource of reading materials, as well as the use of computers for school assignments and projects and access to the Internet.

So, just what is the purpose of the Friends of the Library and how does it work to help the Greene County Library? It acts to help increase the awareness of the resources available at the library and to help raise money through dues and proceeds from the sale of used books that can then be used to buy NEW resources.

Service to the community remains a primary objective. From June 2009 through May 2010 the Friends of the Library provided a truly amazing total of 2,200 volunteer hours doing whatever needed to be done.

Friends of the Library also provided:

— New Books – purchased 241 books in 2009 at a cost of $4,600.

— Home Cinema, DVD Player, Speaker System and Storage Cart

— Art and Sculpture items for library display.

— Sponsored Vacation Reading Club – attended by 740 in 2009.

— Held Story Time on Wednesday mornings for children 0-4,

— Made available classes for adult literacy, deaf signing, English as a second language, genealogy seminar and access to the Internet.

— Donated books to the jail and other local needy organizations.

— Maintained a book cart at the local hospital.

So, as you can see, a whole lot of work and good things are done by this organization, quietly but “Oh So Effectively.”

You too can become a “Friend of the Greene County Library and get just as enthused as Peggy and her mom did. Send your check for yearly dues to The Greene County Library, Greensboro, GA 30642. Dues are just $15 per person per year or $30 per family.  You will feel good and the money will really be put to work for the community.