Friends of St-Marys Public Library

The friends of the st marys public library (fol) conducts volunteer run projects and activities that support the town’s public library by enhancing various library collections programs and services. The fol produces approximately 100 newcomer welcome bags per year containing information about the town and promotional items from business sponsors. These bags are given to new persons who have moved to town and are applying for a library card. The fol financially supports various library run programs such as movies in the park library food pantry for those in need and the kids summer reading program. The fol supports professional development for library staff by funding their attendance at the ontario library conference. Fol continues to provide funding to enhance librarian office spaces and the front customer counter. The fol funds items to enhance collections at the library such as the procurement of national and international magazines and newspapers. Fol also acted as a qualified donee for the libraries application for a grant of $6000 from the stratford perth community foundation (spcf). The grant was approved and the money received was turned over to the library to fund its food pantry. Fol volunteers number approximately 80 on paper and of these about 30-40 are considered regular active volunteers. The number of hours of volunteer work completed by the fol is estimated at 2000 for the year 2024.