The Walleye Magazine

Friends of the Library

Friends to the Community

Story by Rebekah Skochinski, Photos by Keegan Richard Contact the Friends at 623-2309 or friends_tbpl@tbaytel.net, or find them on Facebook @FriendsBookstoreTBay.

What do you do when you love libraries and you love reading? Well, you might volunteer with the Friends of the Library. Fran Duke, president of the executive and co-manager of the Friends Bookstore, has been with the organization for 12 years. “I’ve lived in several towns and cities in Canada, as well as a few years spent overseas—always there has been a library to welcome me, make me feel at home, and with a rich variety of books to explore,” she says.

The Friends of the Library is a non-profit charitable organization that has been in operation for 34 years and is run by over 50 volunteer members ranging in ages from 18 to late 80s. Their primary goal is supporting the Thunder Bay Public Library, which they achieve mainly through book sales at their bookstore in Victoriaville Centre. There you will find a great selection of books and magazines, including a vast array of material for children and young adults. “We can’t keep Westerns on the shelf—aficionados buy these books and then return them so they are available for other fans.” Duke says that the science fiction/fantasy section is also extremely popular as are graphic novels, the self-help section, and the spirituality section.

More than just used book sellers, the Friends regularly donate boxes of books and audiovisual materials to non-profit daycares in the city, as well as to organizations such as Evergreen A United Neighbourhood, The Regional Multicultural Youth Council, and seniors complexes. They also support the library’s home delivery programs and volunteer

at bingos—they are one of 82 local charities part of the Superior Shores Gaming Association.

This past July the group held a very successful Off the Wall Art sale with paintings that were once part of the library collection alongside beautiful art books. Typically, they hold seasonal sales as well as coordinate displays and events to promote events like Black History Month and other mall events such as the Indigenous Christmas craft fair and the Science North Science Fair.

The Friends are eager to welcome back their regular customers (as well as see some new faces!) when they reopen September 7 and they have plans for a huge book sale this fall. Post-secondary students take note: the bookstore is a great place to find inexpensive classics. They are also once again accepting

donations. Duke says she loves finding a special book that a customer requested (customers can fill out a request card for titles), adding “every box of donated books is like a Christmas gift—you never know what it may hold!”

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