In a time when people read on Kindles and stream their movies, the Moorestown Library is still very much thriving. In fact, Library Director Joseph Galbraith contends the Moorestown Library sees more people today than it might have 10, 15 or even 20 years ago.
“Our library is busier now that it has ever been,” Galbraith said.
And to what does Galbraith attribute their nearly 500 visitors a day? The vast array of programming they’re offering for every age group from newborns to senior citizens. These programs are offered in large part due to the generosity of the Board of the Moorestown Free Library Association, more commonly known as the Friends of the Moorestown Library. On Sunday, Oct. 20 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., the Friends will host its 1st Annual Fall Fundraiser at the Moorestown Community House.
Karen Olejarz, president of the Friends, said the afternoon will feature a performance by the Avanti String Quartet, which is comprised of members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Wine, beer, appetizers and desserts will be served, and there will be auction items throughout the afternoon.
Olejarz said the friends have discussed hosting a fundraiser for years, and this finally felt like the right time to organize something. She said while the primary mission of the event is fundraising, it’s also an opportunity for them to get the word out to the community about what the friends do.
The Friends began in 1853 as The Moorestown Free Library Association and managed the library until it became a municipal organization in 1974. At that time, the Moorestown Free Library Association became a nonprofit whose mission was to support library services not covered by the operating expenses of the library.
Today, the Friends provide the funding for all of the children and teen programs and events as well as online access to eBooks; Symphony in C concerts; much of the DVD collection; museum passes; FlashScan self-checkout and all of the library’s furniture. They’ve also been working hard to expand adult offerings with yoga, dance and Qi Gong classes (to name a few).
“It’s become a really great place for people to get information, gather and learn new skills,” Olejarz said.
They provide around $30,000 in funding to the library, the bulk of which Olejarz said comes from the organization’s “significant endowment.” All that being said, Olejarz said she’s not sure that the Moorestown community knows that they’re the group working behind the scenes to bring these diverse array of offerings to town.
Galbraith said the friends have certainly added to the attraction of the library in recent years.
“They do all kinds of things that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to do if we were just depending on township appropriations,” Galbraith said. “These are the types of things that the public is interested in going to the library and participating in.”
Olejarz said they don’t have a fundraising goal in mind for the event, but they will be auctioning off a variety of items. She said nearly every restaurant and business on Main Street has donated to the event. More than anything, Olejarz said the Friends see this fundraiser as the start of them getting out into the community a bit more. She said the Friends want Moorestown to know more about who they are and what they do.
“Without their generosity, without their volunteer efforts, all of what we do wouldn’t be possible,” Galbraith said.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased online prior to the event or at the door. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.moorestownlibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/fall-fundraiser/.
