by Tara Lynn Johnson

The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury gets by with a little help from its Friends.

The New Hope Solebury library (NHSL), the first free library in Bucks County, a not-for-profit public service facility associated with the Bucks County Library System as a Community Public Library, inhabits an old church on Ferry Street. And although the library receives some funding from the State, the Borough, and from Solebury Township, much of the library’s revenue comes from fundraising.

And that’s what Friends are for.

The Friends of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury are a group of approximately 40 members who raise money to support the library through an ongoing book sale, biannual Mammoth Book Sales, bake sales, and special activities.

To become a Friend, members pay a small fee (as little as $5, though higher donations are welcome). Those funds support book purchases, programs for all ages (including the extremely popular children’s programs), building maintenance, and any other items the library needs.

Recently, the Friends gave money to purchase new leather chairs for patrons to enjoy while leisurely reading at NHSL.

Friends President and Treasurer “Lady” Haight-Ashton, a 20-year resident of New Hope and lifelong lover of books, helped to begin the group about four years ago when former library director Caroline Dechert suggested it.      She’s helping the group expand beyond sales because electronic devices seem to affect the number of people buying books, Lady said.

So the group sponsored a luncheon with local author Wendy Plump (“Vow”) in April.

“We have to change with the times,” Lady said. “Friends groups have to evolve.”

But the book sales continue, and the next Mammoth one will be held at the library May 9th through 11th. The Friends’ goal is to hold member meetings at a set frequency, but for now, with a small number of active volunteers, the group meets on an ad hoc basis.

“We’re still new,” she said. “We’re the newest Friends group on the block.”

(Many Friends groups at county libraries have been around for years or decades).

The Friends aim to create the best possible library for the community by “enhancing the library experience for all citizens,” according to their mission statement.

You don’t need to live in New Hope or Solebury to become a member and Lady said volunteers have fun together, all while supporting NHSL.

“Our main goal is to help the library,” she said. “That’s our mission.”

Lady thinks all libraries are extremely important.   

“They should be a community center where you can meet other people, where you can belong,” she said. “People can come and browse and say hello to people. It’s a beautiful thing to have that community.”     

For information about the Library and the Friends group, visit the Library’s website at www.nhslibrary.org.