In celebration of the 13th annual National Friends of Libraries Week, Fairfield’s First Selectman, Mike Tetreau, has officially proclaimed October 21 through 27 as Friends of the Fairfield Public Library Week in the Town of Fairfield, and encourages all Fairfield residents and elected officials who are not already members of The Friends to join at this time. Copies of the signed proclamation will be on display at the Main and Fairfield Woods Branch Libraries throughout the week.

Town Librarian Helene Murtha lauded The Friends, saying, “The Friends work tirelessly fundraising, volunteering and advocating on the Library’s behalf. Thanks to their efforts, the Library is able to significantly expand its offerings. An active and dynamic library is one of the factors that make Fairfield such a great community to live in, and the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library are instrumental in making that so.”

The Friends are also conducting a membership drive at this time and will have volunteers stationed at the Main and Fairfield Woods Branch Libraries to encourage patrons to join and learn more about what The Friends do. Membership is open to all individuals, organizations and businesses.

In existence since 2003, The Friends of the Fairfield Public Library is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the partnership between the Fairfield Public Library and the community, and advocating for quality library service for all of the people of the town of Fairfield.

Over the past fifteen years, The Friends have provided over $350,000 to the Library to support special programs, services and resources not included in the operating budget, including a commitment to fund the Library’s museum pass program with $10,000 a year for 10 years.

For the past eleven years The Friends have sponsored the Soundwaves Concert Series featuring the internationally acclaimed Lions Gate Trio in performances at the Library in the spring and fall. The Friends also manage the Bruce S. Kershner Gallery at the Main Library, where a new [free] art exhibit is presented every 7-8 weeks, together with an opening reception featuring an intimate presentation by the artist(s) and the serving of light refreshments. In the past two years, The Friends have introduced the popular Fairfield Food Truck Festival, a fun community event enjoyed by thousands at Jennings Beach.

Finally, The Friends oversee the ongoing sale of gently used books, tapes and CD’s in The Twice REaD Room at the Main Library, and offer a Bookplates as Gifts program which allows people to honor or remember a loved one with a bookplate placed in a new book to be added to the Library’s collection. Funds raised from these programs directly benefit the Library.

To join the Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, or for more information, please visit http://fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/our-community/friends-of-fairfield-public-library/.

The photo taken at the Main Library shows from left to right: First Selectman Mike Tetreau, Friends' President Jacqui Coghlan holding the Town Proclamation, Town Librarian Helene Murtha, and Library Board Chair, Sonal Rajan.

Contact: Helene Murtha, Town Librarian, Fairfield Public Library, 203-256-3158, hmurtha@fplct.org

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