The Friends were started in 1953 by a group of local women interested in supporting library services in the Okemos area.
Purpose of the Friends of the Hope Borbas Okemos Library:
* To maintain an association of persons interested in the Hope Borbas Okemos Library
* To focus public attention on library services, facilities and needs.
* To enrich the cultural advantages available to the citizens of our community.
* To promote the library as a dynamic resource in a changing community.
* To represent the library patrons' point of view to the township government and Capital Area District Libraries (CADL) administration.
Activities:
The Friends provide service and financial support to the Hope Borbas Okemos Library. The Friends assist with programs planned by the CADL library staff and sponsor programs of our own.
* Monthly Friends Board Meetings: 2nd Thursday of each month - 6:30 pm social; 7:00 meeting at the Library. All members of the Friends are welcome.
* First Sunday Gallery Walk: The Friends provide hospitality and refreshments for monthly local artist's exhibits held in our Events Room.
* Used Book Sales: Held one weekend in January, May September and November at the Meridian Township Senior Center.
* Art Show and Sale: Entire month of November. Exhibit and sale of fine art work created by local area artists. Proceeds from Sale benefit both the artist and the Library.
* Strawberry Breakfast: May. Annual luncheon event with topical speaker.
* Membership Tea: Annual tea each Fall featuring a topical speaker.
* Book Discussion Group: Meets at the Library monthly on first Thursday to review and discuss specific books.
*Film Festival: Winter film festival covers two or three nights with films selected on a specific topic.
* Newsletter: "Just Between Friends" published quarterly and available to members both in paper and electronically.
The Friends provide support and financial assistance for special family and children's activities planned by the Library. Some of these programs include:
* Storytimes Programs
* Summer Reading Program
* Children's/Tween's Book Discussion Groups.
American Girl Discussions
Pizza and Pages
Books Plus
* Teen Mystery Night
* Musical FUNdamentals
* Smart Start Saturday - Annual "Get a Library Card" Day
Through a Friends membership dues and fundraising efforts such as the Used Book Sales and the Annual Art Show and Sale, the Friends are able to purchase amenities for the library such as "Book Pages", the book review publication given free to patrons, foreign language newspapers and special furniture such as the circulation desk.
