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Chocolate, books drive membership at library

Submitted photo One of the Valentine’s Day themed baskets that will be used in a raffle to incentivize memberships this year at the Elkins Randolph County Library. Winners will be drawn from memberships received by the library on or before Feb. 8.

ELKINS — The Elkins Bookhounds, Friends of the Elkins Randolph County Library, are forging ahead this month with a special, more virtual approach to a membership drive. A Valentine’s themed basket raffle will incentivize memberships this year, replacing one of the groups’ favorite events. Winners will be drawn from those memberships received by the library on or before Feb. 8, giving time to pick up a basket before Valentine’s Day.

Raffle baskets full of books, chocolates, and other Valentine themed items donated by current volunteers will be displayed in the windows of The Elkins Sewing Center. Membership forms are available in the store, at the Railroad Depot Welcome Center, or outside the library. Forms have also been mailed and or emailed to current members, so the process may be done without leaving home. Memberships may be mailed directly to the library using the address on the form or dropped at the library during a scheduled time. Call 304-637-0287 or use the library website https://elkinslibrary.com/home#ae354cb7-17f0-4dab-99b5-78d3cd99a103

“Our in-person Chocolate Friendzy February event will be sorely missed this year, but that will not keep this group from maintaining a strong membership who support our community library through volunteerism, donations and financial support. Please encourage your friends and relatives to join this worthy effort by becoming an Elkins Bookhound or by renewing your membership. Physical books and online resources and services are more important than ever during this time of social isolation. I have read and listened to more books in the past year than ever before! Books continue to offer a way to travel, learn, and meet people without leaving our homes. The continued financial support of our public library is vital for our community,” noted Heidi Jeffries, Membership Committee member.

The schedule of membership fees beginning from $5-$10 will remain the same for this drive, but the organization will be raising rates in the future to reflect the dues generally collected by other libraries of similar size and patronage.

Laura Hill, Membership Chairperson, said, “The heart of our organization is our membership. And during this pandemic, we could all use more friends, even if supporting each other from a distance! Throughout the year the Friends provide volunteers and supplemental financial support for library programs and services, as well as sponsor activities which engage people who value our library and would like to see it be the best it can be. The Friends’ funds come from membership dues, gifts, and special activities like book sales and Run for It. Your support of the Friends of the Library is one of the best ways you can say ‘thank you’ to the dedicated staff of the library, who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes during the pandemic to remodel and improve the library on a shoe-string budget.”

Librarian Stephanie Murphy appreciates the efforts of this group as she targets an opening date of Feb. 1, depending on COVID-19 restrictions, construction, and a healthy staff.

“Thank you so much for your continued support during a time when it would be easier to forget about the library! We are winding up a few projects, thanks to your contributions, and beginning a few others,’ Murphy said. “The new relocated children’s area downstairs is coming along quickly now. A coffee cart is being added to the main floor by the circ desk. Novus Glass will enclose the new meeting room/local history area. Copy/fax/print curbside services are now available.”

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