The Palmyra Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that the Friends of the Powers Memorial Library in Palmyra has been selected as the Shining Star for the months of December and January. The friends started meeting in 1985 and officially incorporated in March of 2016.
Lauren Schauer, President states that “Our mission is to support and enhance the library so that it may fulfill and promote its literary, educational, technological and cultural services within the community. In a nutshell, we try and support the Powers Memorial Library in any way we can to make the Palmyra branch of the Bridges Library System a vital place that offers services and support to all.”
The friends meet the third Thursday of every other month at 6pm in the lower level of the library located at 115 W. Main Street in Palmyra. They specialize in fundraising and then purchasing items that the library needs. In the past they have financed a new phone system, jumbo flat screen tv, subscriptions, shelving, carpet, room dividers, and prizes for patron raffles. They are also the main sponsors of the annual Family Fun Night in August. Currently, they have 13 individual members and 10 business sponsors and are always looking for new volunteers. Commitment levels can be as simple as assembling a raffle basket, putting up flyers in town or taking notes at one of our meetings. Any and all help is appreciated! The event they are most known for is their used book sale, held twice a year in spring and fall. Attendees can find great deals on books, dvds, and cds for adults and children. They have some events on the drawing board, such as a Trivia Night, a Garden Walk and a Chili Cook-Off that you would be welcomed to assist with. The ultimate “dream wish” for the group would be to expand the facilities of the library so it could have separate meeting rooms and more space for materials and gatherings. Right now, when new materials come in, others have to be removed because there is simply no room on the shelves to store more.
“Our mission is to support and enhance the library so that it may fulfill and promote its literary, educational, technological and cultural services within the community. In a nutshell, we try and support the Powers Memorial Library in any way we can to make the Palmyra branch of the Bridges Library System a vital place that offers services and support to all.”
While the Powers Memorial Library has a rich history of its own, a little known fact is that when opened in 1917 there were actually more patrons than books…200 books and 230 patrons! They’ve come a long way through the efforts of many volunteers! President Schauer states “If you want to make a difference in your community our organization is for you. By joining you are helping raise awareness for the many programs, services and materials that the library has to offer. For example, did you know you can check out kayaks and paddleboards at the library with your card? The library also has snowshoes available in winter. If you like to read, there is a monthly book club where you can meet other enthusiastic readers. If our Palmyra library doesn’t have the book or DVD you want, your library card automatically connects you to all the other libraries in the Bridges System and you can check materials out from them without having to travel across town.”
Check out the Friends of the Powers Memorial Library Facebook Page for news and activities.
Website: https://www.palmyra.lib.wi.us/friends-of-the-library/
Phone number: Powers Memorial Library 262-495-4605
Business address: P.O. Box 16, Palmyra, WI 53156