Who Are the Friends of the Mercer Island Library?

The Friends are an organization of volunteers who work to support the library by:

  • Encouraging and stimulating increased use of the library and its resources;
  • Encouraging cooperation with other Island cultural and educational groups;
  • Assisting library staff, as needed, with their projects and tasks;
  • Raising funds to support library programs and projects.

How do the Friends raise funds?

  • Through the sale of books, DVDs, and CDs donated to the library;
  • Through the sale of our "Bunny" book bags and PC disks;
  • Through contributions and memorials;
  • Through membership dues.

How do the Friends use their funds?

  • We support a wide variety of programs and functions that appeal to all segements of the community;
  • We have purchased equipment and furnishings, such as a lectern, puppets, an LCD projector, a digital camera, and a sofa, table, and chairs;
  • We have commissioned artworks, such as Marjett Schille's watercolors, the Maria Abrams mural, and the pedestal for Tony Angell's Sunning Otter;
  • We have purchased specialty books and periodicals for the library.

How can you help the Friends?

  • Planning and hosting programs and functions;
  • Sorting and crating donated books;
  • Setting up for and conducting book sales;
  • Providing new energy, ideas, and talent to keep the organization moving forward.

Members are also needed to volunteer in the library. The library staff always appreciates assistance with:

  • Children's crafts and projects;
  • Displays and bulletin boards;
  • Maintenance of the book collection;
  • Shelf organization;
  • Word processing and other clerical chores.