WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

We get asked this question a lot.  So the next time you're in the Reston Library, look around. Look at the tables. Look at the chairs. Notice the new info desk and the new teen area. Observe the wi-fi bar for laptop use. Do you see those big screen monitors? Have you noticed the smaller, more maneuverable carts for transporting books? How about signage?

ALL of that has been paid for by the Friends of the Library.

I hear your question now, "But isn't that the County's responsibility?" Umm...well....yes. But if the County was left to pay for everything we pay for, our library would look a lot more like the lobby of the police station or the mental health center. Sparse. Utilitarian. Not very inviting. And when times are tough, there should be one sanctuary for people to relax in, look for a new job, build their skills, or just find a good book to escape in for a little while.


We also hear your question, "yeah, but the bathrooms are the WORST. Why don't you spend some money on them?" Sigh. We tried. We really tried, but the County said "no" on that one. There are some things (facilities maintenance and personnel) that the County has to maintain control over.


But imagine stripping away everything that makes the Reston Library space useful and accessible.

And then you understand the true value of supporting the Friends of the Library. There is very little you see at the library that the Friends haven't had a hand in funding.  Even the book collection has received generous donations from the money we've raised. The County simply can't do it and if you WANT the County to do so, you will have to pay LOTS more taxes...isn't it better just to give money to the Friends group and see it work directly and quickly in YOUR OWN community?

But (as they say on TV), THAT'S NOT ALL . . . .

We also get the privilege of helping the Friends Group that supports Access Services. They aren't as large and don't have the physical space and ability to hold used book sales, so we help them fund things that the disabled patrons of Fairfax County Public Library System really need.

Recently, we helped underwrite the cost of their Technology Fair which matched up the latest in new technologies to assist the disabled with interested people.  Here are some photos:

So, support the Friends group. Join us. Or donate books. Or purchase books and other Friends group stuff. Just don't be on the side lines.

Onward into the 21st Century

The Friends of Reston Regional Library are happy to announce that we now have a . . .

TELEPHONE NUMBER!

703-829-5467

Now to some of you, that will seem like a pretty lame announcement. But our prior situation was that if you wanted to call us, you'd call the library, leave a message, and then someone from the Friends would eventually (hopefully) get the message and call you back.

But through the wonders of Google Voice, we have our own number! Yes, you'll still leave a message, but we'll get it right away and call you back probably the same day!

W00t!

So, if you want to join us in the 21st century, give us a call.  AND/OR you can go to our RestonFriends1 site on Amazon, and pick up one of these:

  

What Is a Good Friend?

I'm sure you've all heard the joke that goes along these lines:

A friend is someone you can call at 2am after you've been arrested for partying too enthusiastically.

A good friend is someone who is right there with you in the cell asking, "was that fun, or what?"

Well, most of the Friends of the Library are a wee bit more mature than that, but we still have some descriptions of Friends, Good Friends, and Best Friends.

A Good Friend according to OUR definition is someone who goes above and beyond in supporting the Friends of the Library. It is someone who thinks $15 per year to support the Friends isn't enough. Good Friends give at the $50 per year level.

A Best Friend is one who goes even further, and supports the Friends group at $100 per year.

Now, if you can only afford $15 per year, that's fine! We will love you and help you find your books on Friends night just like we do the others. But if you can afford more, that gives the Friends group that much more to use in helping maintain collections at Reston Regional Library and other places in the county. It helps us to support the Access Services branch. They're the ones who make sure people who are sight-impaired or unable to get to a library due to disability or incarceration still have the opportunity to READ. And we know that reading is essential to making more out of life than a humdrum daily existence.

We are fortunate that we do have several people who give at the Good and Best Friend levels. Every year. And we really do appreciate it.

The final category in our memberships is Special Friend. That is giving at the $250 per year level. This is a rarified elite level, i.e. we don't have many of those. But you could be among the few, the proud, the truly supportive. And we'll make sure the money is well spent.

You can make these donations by clicking on the JOIN button on the side bar and then using PayPal. Or e-mail us and we'll help you figure out a different way!

Thank you so much to all of our Friends, Good Friends, Best Friends, and Special Friends.