The Virtual Book Cart is back now until May 1st! This is in addition to the books for sale on the book sale cart on the main floor rotunda.
The Virtual Book Cart is an easy way to obtain used books, mostly books within the last several years – in both hardcover and trade paperback format, at great prices ($3 for hardcover and $2 for trade paperback).
Shop now before the book sale!
Browsing and purchasing is as easy as 1-2-3!
The quantities of specific titles are limited, so books will be made available to the first person making the request. Books will need to be picked up within a week. After a week, they will be returned to inventory. Questions, or if you want to be included in our email mailing list, please send us an email at JBMLFriendsBookCart@gmail.com.
Volunteer Driver
We have an opening for a person to pick-up book donations at two locations within Branford (behind the Blackstone Library and at the Volunteer Services Center on Harrison Ave) and bring them to the Friends warehouse also located in Branford one day a week.
Requirements:
Email: friends@blackstonelibrary.org if interested.
Board of Directors
The Friends of the Blackstone Library (the Friends) invites inquiries from those who may be interested in serving on the Board of Directors.
The 12-member Board is the governing authority of the Friends, an all-volunteer organization of approximately 400 members chartered to support and promote the James Blackstone Memorial Library and to promote literacy by enabling the freedom to read and to make books available and affordable to all.
The primary source of revenue is through book sales at the Annual Fall Book Sale on the Branford Green and year-long online book sales via Amazon and eBay. Revenue for the current 2024 – 25 fiscal year is projected to be approximately $150,000 with expenditures directly benefiting the Library to be approximately $75,000. The Friends’ operational center is its warehouse of 2500 sq. ft. located in an industrial park off Ct. Route 139 in Branford with additional space in the Volunteer Services Center on Harrison Avenue in Branford.
Qualities sought in Board members include:
In addition, all Board members are expected to volunteer some time at the Fall Book Sale as well as to play a role in some aspect of year-round book operations.
The Board meets monthly. Board members are assigned to one or more of its committees and should often be expected to chair a committee.
Inquiries and expressions of interest should be directed to: friends@blackstonelibrary.org.
The Friends of the James Blackstone Memorial Library was founded in 1988 and is a 501c3 charity supporting the Blackstone library through a variety of fundraising activities including an annual book sale, online book sales, and other activities. Currently we have over 300 members and approximately 70 year-round volunteers. All money raised through various fund-raisers minus operating expenses is donated to the library. The library director attends all Friends Board Meetings and prioritizes funding requests. Friends sponsor lectures and programs and provide funds for special programming, particularly for the Youth Services Department, as well as funds for the purchase of equipment for the library, museum passes, movies, concerts, furniture, and plantings for the library grounds. Friends donated over $72,000 to the library in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
Our mission is to raise funds primarily through the sale of donated books to enable the James Blackstone Memorial Library to provide enrichment programs and other services for the local community.
We aim to maintain our financial support to the library, to promote literacy in the community and the freedom to read, and to make books available for all.
Fall 2024 | Summer 2024 | Spring 2024 | Winter 2024 | Fall 2023| Summer 2023 | Spring 2023 | Winter 2023
Press Release: June 2024
If you have a question for the Friends, please email us at friends@blackstonelibrary.org. Like us on Facebook!
Jon Bloom
Bob Deschamps
Joe Genua
Jill Thomas
Sandra Brockett
Jane Kenealy
Andy McKirdy
Bylaws (Approved May 16, 2023)
Buy an Annual Membership: Join the Friends with a membership starting as low as $10 for seniors and students, individuals are $15, etc. A membership helps us to support the library.
As a member you receive quarterly Marble Columns mailing as well as exclusive early access to the Fall Book Sale. Scroll down to join or donate!
– Seniors (60+): $10
– Students: $10
– Individual: $15
– Family: $20
– Good Friend: $30
– Benefactor: $50
– Best Friend: $100
