"The Friends of the Delafield Public Library is a group of dedicated volunteers whose purpose is to foster the work and well-being of the library," explained Friends president Marge Vedder. "Membership is open to anyone; there are no fees." To become a member of the Friends, please stop in the library for an application form, or download one from the library website (
click here for an application).
"A love of reading and books is the impetus for my work with the Friends," added Vedder, a retired reading specialist and elementary school teacher. "I also feel it is a great way to give back to the community."
The Friends of the Delafield Public Libary is a tax exempt non-profit charitable and education organization under the Internal Revenue Code 501(c) (3). If you would like to donate to the Friends, please contact Marge Vedder at mvedder@centurytel.net.
Volunteers Pat Schiele, Marge Vedder, Marty Wiley, Connie Fliege, and Kathy Polanski help prepare for the next Friends book sale on Saturday, May 7. It will feature a sale on gardening books and cookbooks- buy one get one free.
What Do The Friends Do?
The Friends provide financial support for library requests for additional items that are not covered in the library's operating budget. One recent example of a Friends contribution is the beautiful outdoor reading garden in the back of the library.
Primarily, the Friends run an ongoing book sale in the lower level of the Delafield Chamber of Commerce Building at 421 Main Street in beautiful downtown Delafield. In cooler months, it is held the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 to 1:00. During the months of May through October (when the Delafield Farmers Market occurs next door), the book sale is held the first AND third Saturdays of the month.
The book supply for the Friends book sale is constantly updated with discards from the library and donations from the community. For donation guidelines, please visit the Delafield Public Library website under Library Services, then Book Sales and Donations.
Beginnings
The Friends of the Delafield Public Libary was formed nearly 37 years ago on May 22, 1979. Its first book sale fundraiser was held outside the library, when it was located on Wells Street, now the site of Revere's Wells Street Tavern. Below are some old photographs of the very first book sale. Former library director Hortense Langer appears in the first photograph wearing a blue-checked dress. Recognize anyone else?
Thank You, Friends
Over the next few years, the Friends of the Delafield Public Libary hope to continue their support of the library by:
-Updating and promoting their successful book sale
-Recycling unwanted books in an environmentally responsible manner
-Helping to maintain and improve the library's reading garden located outside near the back parking lot
-Supporting the library's strategic plan by providing funds for technology, programming, and speakers
-Continuing to advocate for and support the library
