At A Glance The Friends of the Mendon Public Library is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing our library. We are people like you who volunteer because we believe in and support this valuable community asset.
Our mission is to promote literacy, encourage a love of books and foster the use of library services. We use membership fees, donations and profits from fundraisers to: 1) enhance Mendon Public Library programs and services which could not otherwise be offered due to limited public library funding, 2) support collection development, and 3) provide new furniture and materials.
History The Friends have played an active role in the library since they were founded in 1988. Shirley Arena, Susan Bowers, Dorothe Cameron, Elaine Navias and Barbara Reifsteck formed the first Board of the Friends of the Mendon Public Library. Also instrumental in the early formation of the Friends were Grizel Spence, Marion McCormick, Elisabeth Dietz and Cheryl Carboneau. Today the Friends have over 150 members, active in volunteering and supporting the library financially.
Booksales The Friends hold an annual book sale during the June Festival on the Green Days in Honeoye Falls. We have been told that our sales are among the best organized book sales in the area. Prices are low and bargains are plenty! We sell new and used books, DVDs, videos, audio books, software, CDs, games and puzzles at bargain prices.
All items are donated by people in our community. We always encourage donations of cookbooks, coffee table books, new fiction, large print books, children's picture books, and children's and teen series. We do not accept Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, encyclopedias, textbooks, or books in bad or damaged condition. Donations can be dropped off at 22 N. Main Street, Honeoye Falls. Place them on the table behind the gate, under the "Books" sign.
Volunteering Why volunteer? Your time, skills, and talents are needed, appreciated, and make a difference. You join others who share your dedication and enthusiasm for the Mendon Public Library. Your opinions and input are valued.
There are many ways to contribute your time and talents to the Friends: assist with our membership drive; help with our fundraising events; sort books prior to the book sale; staff the book sale; assist with post-sale clean-up; create signs, publicity and advertising; assist with our newsletter and web content; help with mailings; make phone calls.
Friends Donate $25,000 On February 4, 2009 the Friends of the Mendon Public Library unanimously approved a $25,000 donation to the upcoming capital campaign for the new library.
Friends President Lisa Hochgraf said, "This gift is made with genuine enthusiasm about the new library project. It reflects our deep respect for the many people who over many years worked hard to raise money for the Friends of the Mendon Public Library and made donations to the group."
Reception Honoring Shirley Arena On October 21, 2009, a reception was held to honor Friends founding member Shirley Arena. Family members and Friends officers Lisa Hochgraf and Emily Brincka display some of the books on green sustainability purchased in Shirley's memory.
Membership You may join the Friends at any time throughout the year. Benefits of a Friends membership include knowing you contribute to a valuable community resource and receiving an invitation to attend our Spring pre-sale event prior to our popular book sale. With a donation of $25 or more you are eligible to receive a free limited-edition membership gift. Past gifts have included matted prints of paintings donated by local artists such as Liz Sciortino and Dick Flaherty, and matted photographs donated by local photographers such as Matt DeTurck and Dwight Petruchik. Our current gift is a set of 12 notecards of scenes from past membership gifts.
You are encouraged to attend monthly meetings held at the library on the first Wednesday at 7 p.m. Voting rights accompany membership. We offer the following membership levels:
