PROGRAMS, EVENTS, VOLUNTEER
We also fund unbudgeted books and equipment. In addition we organize book sales, have a Bookstore at the library, and offer memberships that all go toward funding our programs.
What We Do
Friends of Fairhope Public Library raises funds to provide support to our beloved Fairhope Public Library. We raise money through donations and fund-raising activities and offer services and advocacy for our library. Aside from inviting volunteers and donors, we also organize activities and programs, which include the following: -Tuesday Morning Book Review and Lecture Series -The Written Word Book Discussion Group -The Children’s Summer Reading Program -Raise a Reader, a community outreach project We encourage reading and the use of the library by parents. We also fund unbudgeted books and equipment. In addition we organize book sales, have a Bookstore at the library, and offer memberships that all go toward funding our programs.
Friends Used Book
StoreOur bookstore is located inside the library off the lobby near the front door. The inventory for the bookstore comes from books that are donated to the library and we work hard to select books to sell in the store that we believe our clients will find interesting, informative, intriguing, and important in maintaining a high level of intellectual interaction. We sell hardcover and paperback books along with some unique, special books that are displayed individually. The bookstore is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 to 4:00 and on Saturday from 10:00 to 1:00. It is closed on Wednesdays for shelving new inventory and general cleaning. We operate on the generosity of our members who volunteer to run the store in 3 hour shifts. We are always thrilled to welcome members to help with the bookstore.
Raise-A-Reader Every month
Tuesday Morning Book Reviews
We are fortunate to have Suzanne Barnhill as facilitator for our Tuesday Morning Book Review p0rogram. 2022 marks Suzanne’s 28th year working with this program. The book reviews begin on the first Tuesday in October and run through April. Presenters are asked to prepare a book review that lasts 20 to 30 minutes with time for questions and we are always interested in finding new readers to be book review presenters. Book Review meets in the Giddens Conference Room which has a digital projector and sound system, so microphones and a laptop computer are available for visual slide shows and amplified sound. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends.
Consanguinity
We will begin the 21st year of our Consanguinity movie program in June 2022. Consanguinity is a unique word usually used in legal matters to show the blood relationship between people in cases of inheritance or custody. We use it to describe the relationship between a movie and the book, play, or short story on which the movie is based. Each year we invite members and library staff to present a movie for the program. Presenters are asked to prepare a short introduction that highlights the relationship between the written word and the movie. As with all Friends activities, light refreshments are served.
Convergence
A unique twist on the concept of a book club, Convergence, is a monthly book discussion group that meets from September to July. The group facilitator, Rosalie Stromme, creates a list of topics for the year that includes several books, tv programs, podcasts, and movies that explore the topic. People interested in participating simply read or watch something on the topic and come to the monthly meeting to share what they read or watched. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00. More information can be gotten at the library’s reference desk.