WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. –The James V. Brown Library and the Friends of the James V. Brown Library welcomed more than 60 volunteers on April 29th for their annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, a collaborative celebration honoring the individuals whose dedication and service help strengthen the Library and the community it serves.
The evening recognized the many ways volunteers support the Library throughout the year, from assisting with programs and outreach efforts to helping lead fundraising events, book sales, and community initiatives.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Carile Brown Award to Jeri Demel. Established in 2000, the award honors a volunteer whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on the Library and its mission.
Demel has been a dedicated member of the Library Gala Committee for more than a decade, where her creativity, leadership, and commitment have helped shape the Library’s signature fundraising event into a meaningful and successful community tradition. Her efforts have directly supported the programs, resources, and opportunities that impact thousands of lives each year.
The Friends of the James V. Brown Library also recognized Mary Beth Kibbe as the 2026 Friends Volunteer of the Year. Kibbe has been a longtime volunteer with the Friends organization and has played an instrumental role in its book sales and book review events, helping support the Friends’ ongoing efforts to benefit the Library through fundraising and community engagement.
“Volunteers are truly the foundation of so much of the work we do here at the Library,” said Amy C. Resh, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the James V. Brown Library. “The dedication shown by individuals like Jeri and Mary Beth, along with the many volunteers we celebrated that evening, helps create welcoming experiences, meaningful programs, and lasting community impact.”
The Carile Brown Award is named in honor of Carile Higgins Brown, whose vision inspired the creation of the Library. Today, that legacy continues through volunteers who generously invest their time and talents to help the Library inspire today and shape tomorrow.
The James V. Brown Library and Friends of the James V. Brown Library extend their sincere gratitude to all volunteers for their continued support and service.
Community members interested in becoming a Library volunteer or joining the Friends of the James V. Brown Library are encouraged to visit the Library or learn more at jvbrown.edu.
The James V. Brown Library is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through 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 4:30 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 inspiring today, and shaping tomorrow. 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. 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.
