CICERO — The Friends Groups of the Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) are a group of volunteers with a mission to help the library. The Friends are a nonprofit, charitable group formed to support the library. They are often involved in fundraising, advocacy, volunteering, public awareness campaigns, and literacy programs.
This past year the Friends have been a gem to the library and have incorporated themselves into many facets of the community. The Friends of the Cicero Library, for example, have helped finance items for the Library Farm, such as purchasing new wood for garden beds and birdhouses. In addition, the Friends of the Brewerton Library collaborated with the Town of Cicero Parks and Rec to sponsor a well-received concert at Riverfront Park in late June and repair a Little Free Library by the Oneida River.
The Friends raise money through book sales, raffles baskets, and more. Their hard work and dedication have shined through the years, and they are recruiting continuously. Sometimes they’re looking for teen volunteers to help at events, and other times for community members to donate their time to plan fundraisers and events. There is also a way to financially support the Friends by providing a donation at the library’s service desk.
An upcoming event sponsored by the Cicero Library Friends is an Author Talk with local author Linda Lowen. Lowen is a creative nonfiction writing instructor for the Downtown Writers Center in Syracuse, theater reviewer, former radio and TV producer, and talk show host. She will be on hand to talk about her book, “100 Things to Do in Syracuse Before You Die.” The book is promoted as a helpful guide for summer vacations that readers can use to find local adventures. In addition, the Friends will be raffling off $20 gas cards and copies of the book at the event to promote local tourism! The event takes place at 4 p.m. Monday, July 11, at the Cicero Library.
To learn more about the NOPL Friends Groups and how to support the library, visit NOPL’s website at NOPL.org/friends.
