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FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY is a friend to readers all over the South Plains and even beyond. Since 1967, the group has collected books that area residents would like to donate, categorized them, and then sold them very inexpensively at their annual book sale to benefit the Lubbock City-County Library System. And never has their work been more important or appreciated. This year with the city in financial difficulties the library budget was cut back to $10.91 per capita. The national average of money spent for library funding is $25.25. Our local libraries had more than 607,000 visitors last year, so a great many people benefit from Lubbock’s libraries—and all for free. The cut in the library materials budget has led to big changes at Lubbock's four library locations. Library director Jane Clausen noted that, in the past, the library would buy 30 to 40 copies of popular best sellers such as the Harry Potter series or new John Grisham books to meet the demand. Now the library buys one copy per branch. The lack of money for new materials has led to the library's taking the unprecedented step of asking the public to help. The library has established a Buy-A-Book program with "wish lists" of books that are needed most. The lists are at the four library locations, on the library's Web site and at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at 6707 Slide Road.

To provide additional funding, this year Friends of the Library has expanded their operations into cyberspace. Some of the most choice volumes contributed by the community are being used to benefit the system by offering them for sale on the Internet and shipping them directly to buyers all over the country. These books are aimed primarily at collectors and individuals wishing to find a copy of a book that may have been long out of print. Prices can range up and down the scale, depending on the market value. 

In 2002, more than $40,000 was raised from donated and withdrawn library books through Friends’ book sales. This money went back into the community to fund library programs and to augment the library budget. All this was done with volunteer hours. If you have the time, Friends of the Library need your help, especially in October when the annual book sale takes place. If you don’t have the time, you can still “give something back” by making a cash or book donation. People can bring books, DVDs, videotapes and other items to any of the library locations. If you are physically unable to get to a library, you may call 775-2852 and Friends will arrange for your donations to be picked up. Volunteers are also appreciated throughout the year to provide this service on an “as needed” basis. You would simply be available to pick up donations on your own time schedule. If you love books, this is the job for you!

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

CREATIVE WRITING TEACHER is needed at Carillon, 1717 Norfolk, every Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 for an established writing class open to anyone who wishes to improve their writing skills. There are currently about 10-12 people in the class, but more are certainly welcome to join. Several in this group have won honors at the Senior Olympics so they have a great deal of ability and want to hone those skills with your help.

AMERICAN WIND POWER CENTER, 1701 Canyon Lake Drive, would greatly appreciate volunteers who could greet visitors or assist in the gift shop or provide general light office assistance. Although you are certainly welcome anytime you might be able to help, there are vacancies especially on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You will be thoroughly trained to provide information to those who ask. This is an interesting place to work, full of the history of the South Plains.

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF LUBBOCK, INC., 715 28th St., needs volunteer receptionists on Tuesday mornings or anytime all day Thursdays and Fridays. Skills necessary are a friendly smile and a willingness to work with people with disabilities. If you have office or computer skills, that would be a plus. A caring person to answer the phone and greet donors and applicants is the main criteria for this position though.

To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.

HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!