The Big Lake Friends of the Library (FOL) group continues to follow its mission of assisting the Big Lake Library. Recently, the group purchased several items the library was in need of.

Working behind the scenes, most people aren’t familiar with FOL, which are nonprofit organizations that support community libraries. Although each group is different, their goals are the same; to raise funds, assist with services, and increase awareness. All money made by Friends groups stay at their local branches.

With the $2,000 the Big Lake FOL made from their last book sale and a donation from Spud Fest, the group was able to purchase four comfortable chairs for patrons to lounge in, six heavy duty chairs for the library’s conference room, and a second large bulletin board. With two bulletin boards, the library is now able to advertise library events on one and focus on community events on the other.

The FOL was also able to spruce up the outside of the building, digging up old shrubbery and replacing them with perennial plants.

Other items the group was able to purchase with money from the book sale and Spud Fest include discovery items for the Tiny Tots Program, audio books, and Level Up books for children to check out.

The group works within the community itself as well, performing outreach such as reading and doing crafts with adults with disabilities and donating boxes of books to the prison and a chemical and drug treatment center. 

Other areas the Big Lake FOL group assists the library with are the Winter Reading and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten programs. Last winter they started coffee time on Fridays, where patrons are able to come in for coffee, chat, and bring any crafts they’re working on.

The Big Lake Library is part of Great River Regional Library (GRRL). GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly one million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.