Friends of the St. Helena Public Library
Already paid your membership fees? You can
still make an additional, tax-deductible donation at any time. It's easy and it helps us continue to bring new and improved services to the St. Helena Public Library and you!
Donate with your credit card here.
Do you have questions about the Friends? Want to know more? Send us an email!
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
- Bi-monthly Newsletter
- Pre-view at annual book sale (get in before the crowds!)
- Knowledge that your membership dues benefit the library and its programs.
Be a Friend! Sign up today (All contributions to the Friends, including membership fees, are tax deductible.):
Background
The Friends of the Saint Helena Library was established in 1968 . The very first project undertaken by the Friends was to preserve our local newspaper, The St. Helena Star, on microfilm and make it available in the library. Starting with the earliest available edition of September 1874 the back issues were copied to microfilm and now occupy a prominent place in the California and Special Collections room of the library.
Just a few of the projects undertaken by the Friends over the ensuing years have included the extensive fund raising for the 1978 construction of the George and Elsie Wood Public Library building on Library Lane; the most timely organization of a highly successful group of in-house library volunteers who assist the staff in providing library service for the public; the 1993 remodeling project to provide better access for the handicapped, a new reference desk and area, new wiring and conduit for the SNAP system and the online patron access terminals and the creation of the California Special Collections room. Over the years the Friends have funded enhanced children's programming and for many years have provided treats and funding for the Children's summer reading program.
In addition to all of the regular activities of the Friends, such as their regular book sales, an on-going book sale cart in the library, and other activities to benefit the library, the Friends spearheaded the fund raising campaign to fund a major expansion of the library building, completed in 1998-99. During 1999-2000 the Friends financed the purchase of materials and plants for a revamped landscaping for the newly expanded Library Building. The Friends of the St. Helena Library have also sponsored technology workshops for the public.
