Oct. 20-26, 2019 is National Friends of the Libraries Week. For the 14th year in a row, United for Libraries coordinates efforts for libraries to recognize and celebrate the contributions of their Friends of the Library groups in their communities. New Ulm Public Library is grateful to have an active group of library Friends who support our collections, programming, newsletters, and more through their efforts and donations of both materials and funding. The Friends group is a non-profit, tax-exempt (501(c)3) community organization that believes in the importance of the library and its services for people of all ages.

Each year, the Friends hold a used book sale at New Ulm Public Library. They’re gearing up for the upcoming sale this fall. This year’s sale will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 9. Friends of the Library members, including new members, can shop the Friends-only sale from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. The sale opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 8 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Annual individual membership is $10, annual family membership is $20, and lifetime individual membership is $100.

The Friends will take donations of books and DVDs through Friday, Nov. 1. They cannot accept donations of textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines, VHS tapes, or vinyl records. Donations can be dropped off at the Service Desk anytime during New Ulm Public Library’s operating hours.

All proceeds from the sale benefit library efforts throughout the year and the community it serves. The Friends donate the annual subscription to the library’s Wowbrary newsletter. Each week, subscribers receive an email that lists the new items that the library has added to its collection. This gives subscribers a chance to get their requests in early on new items. Visit www.newulmlibrary.org and click on “Wowbrary” to sign up for the newsletter.

The Friends have donated funding to library programming for both children and adults. In 2019, the Friends helped fund a visit from the Homeward Bound Theatre Group “Reading is Fundamental” program and contributed to Traverse des Sioux’s Battle of the Books. The Friends of the Library are some of our most devoted patrons. We can always count on them to stop by the Service Desk and share what they’re reading and make recommendations for us to pass on.

New Ulm Public Library staff would like to express their appreciation for the generosity of time, funding, and spirit that the Friends of the New Ulm Public Library have shared with us. Their enthusiasm for our library and its services contributes greatly to the positive impact the library has in our community. If you’d like to join the Friends of the New Ulm Public Library, Friend Your Library by picking up a brochure today.

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Editor’s Note: The City of New Ulm presents a weekly column highlighting activities in different departments in the city government. Once a month the city will answer questions from readers. Questions on New Ulm city issues can be sent to comments@ci.new-ulm.mn.us.