The Friends of the York County Library is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization formed in 1975 to support the York County Library system through fund-raising and advocacy.
Purpose
The purpose of Friends of the York County Library shall be to maintain an association of persons interested in libraries; to focus public attention on the York County Library; to stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services; to receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the York County Library; to support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community; to raise money for approved library projects; to lend legislative support where needed; and to support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.
Fundraising
Through membership dues, book sales and special fundraising
activities, the Friends of the Library provide funding for non-budgeted library projects, programs
and other needs. In recent years, the Friends provided funding for:
- Annual Summer Reading programs for York County children, teens, and adults, to encourage and promote literacy, family visits to the library and lifelong learning. In 2011, the library began a Tiny Tots summer reading program for infants and toddlers, with support from the Friends.
- Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival, a three-day event hosted by the York County Library each March that celebrates and keeps alive the oral tradition of storytelling
- Bucks for Books campaign to raise funds for books and other library materials
- York County Library staff awards based on years of service
- Joann Woods McMaster Volunteer of the Year award to recognize an outstanding volunteer
- Partial funding for Beamer the Firefly, the library mascot, to promote reading and library events
- Programs and special items not included in the regular library budget
Membership benefits include:
- Admittance to book sale opening night for four quarterly book sales
- Advance book sale and program notice
- Early admittance to Holiday book sale in December
- Eligibility for membership at Founders Federal Credit Union
To join the Friends of the Library, fill out a Membership form (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) and return it with your dues to any York County Library location. Membership forms are also available at all branches of the York County Library or by calling (803) 981-5837.
Membership Dues
| Yearly Membership | Annual Dues | Expiration |
| Individual | $10 | 12 months |
| Family | $25 | 12 months |
| Patron | $50 | 12 months |
| Benefactor | $100 | 12 months |
Lifetime memberships are no longer available, but existing lifetime memberships will continue to be honored.
Friends of the Library Executive Board
Martha Ferguson, President; LaRayne Hall, Vice-President/President-Elect; Faith Webb, Secretary; Connie Newland, Treasurer; Mac Lyle; Sarah Morgan; Dave Needham; Jerry Padgett; Karen Van Vierssen; Faye Wyatt.
Volunteer at the Library
York County Library enlists Friends of the Library members as library volunteers to help with fundraising activities, meetings, programs and more. Friends of the Library members are contacted to help with projects only if they have indicated an interest in volunteering. To find out more about volunteering, contact Debbie Turner, Community Relations Manager at 803.981.5837 or by e-mail. For more information on volunteering, see Volunteer at the Library.
2012 Volunteer of the Year
Connie Newland, right,
with Joann W. McMaster
The Joann Woods McMaster
Volunteer of the Year Award
Each year, the Friends of the Library recognizes a volunteer for his or her dedication on behalf of the York County Library. The award was named in honor of Joann W. McMaster for her efforts in founding the Friends and serving as the organization’s first president in 1975.
Past recipients include: Janie Matson, 2011; Jane Kasemersky, 2010; Deborah Wiegand, 2009; Joan King, 2008; Michael Simmons, 2007; Marianne O’Neill, 2006; Virginia and Jinilyn Anderson, 2005
The Friends of the York County Library does not practice or condone any act of harassment or discrimination based upon a person’s race, ethnic group, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or political beliefs.