WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – During the Friends of the James V. Brown Library’s Volunteer Reception on April 9, the Friends group celebrated the 2023 contribution of $51,302 to the Library.

Also, during the event, Friends presented the Rose Lehman Harer Volunteer of the Year award to Jeanne Yaggi, and the Library presented the Carile Brown Award to Brette Confair, vice president of the library’s Board of Trustees.

The James V. Brown Library established the Carile Brown Award in 2000, which is annually given to a volunteer whose sustained dedication has enabled the library to carry forward the founders’ goals of service to the community.

The Friends of the James V. Brown Library were established in 1956 by Robert P. Henry, a trade union worker who wanted to raise funds to renovate the library. Since then, the Friends group has grown from several community members to nearly 500 members.

Since 1996, the Friends have contributed over $525,000 to the James V. Brown Library.

A membership to the Friends supports the Library’s goals to serve hundreds of people daily with its collection of high-quality materials in various formats for all ages, reduce the rate of illiteracy in Lycoming County, support the needs of area students for career information, provide access to online information for people of all ages and incomes, and assist all residents of Lycoming County in meeting their lifelong learning goals.

Members receive a bi-monthly newsletter with upcoming events, early notice of special events, access to the Friends-only preview at book sales, and special sales at the Friends Bookstore, which is located on the third floor of the Welch Children’s Wing.

An annual contribution of $20 is all that is required to become a Friend of the James V. Brown Library. More importantly, it helps support and sustain one of Lycoming County’s cultural treasures – the James V. Brown Library. Family memberships are $35.

Members of the Friends volunteer as book sorters, assist the library with mailings, volunteer at the Friends Favorites store, and plan and organize the spring and fall book sales.

To become a member of the Friends, visit https://jvbrown.edu/about-the-friends/ or stop by the help desk or bookstore for a membership form.

The James V. Brown Library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through
Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. Walk-in passport services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.