Support Us
There are plenty of ways to help support us from joining the Friends to donating books!
Join the Friends of the Gloucester County Library System
Since 1993, the Friends have raised over $50,000 and donated it to the library system to improve services. Ongoing projects include raising funds through the donation box at the circulation desk at all five branches, and selling “Cat’s Meow” of the Mullica Hill Branch as well as canvas book bags, FAX cards, and supplies to patrons. The Friends also conduct an ongoing membership drive, and three book sales each year to raise money for special projects. FGCLS has used these funds to provide such things as early literacy computers and irrigation system for the Mullica Hill Branch as well as materials, toys and programs for all five branches. The Friends also purchase the library’s subscription to Book Page magazine.
Providing extra funding for the library system is a big undertaking, but the Friends are also committed to raising awareness of library services. This has been accomplished in the past by sponsoring community events, especially those involving schools, local authors and talent. The Friends history of involving Gloucester County residents and schools began when the group first formed. The long title, Friends of the Gloucester County Library System, was a bit unwieldy. The Friends extended a challenge to county high schools by offering a contest to students to create a logo with the acronym FGCLS. The wining logo was entered by a Clearview Regional High School student and is still used on all FGCLS stationery and documents.
FGCLS meets on the fourth Monday evening of each month at 7pm at the library in Mullica Hill. The Friends welcome new members. Currently, approximately 10 active members work together to raise funds for the Gloucester County Library System. Unlike many organizations where only one or two people do all the work, having several active members spreads responsibility enough to allow for a pleasant experience by all. If active membership is not possible, the Friends welcome membership as a sponsor. All proceeds are used to help improve library service.
For information, contact Robin Megow at 856-223-6016 or rmegow@gcls.org.
Volunteer with Us
Download and fill out our Volunteer Application and return it to to any GCLS Branch Library.
Volunteer application forms are also available at each library branch.
Special care is taken to match each person’s skills and interests with the library’s needs. Training is provided in the area of service that is selected.
Library Volunteers Benefit From:
- Connecting with your community
- Meeting new friends
- Learning new skills
- Providing valuable services
- Making a difference!
A variety of tasks are available for library volunteers. For most volunteer positions the commitment is 1 to 3 hours, one day per week. Adult volunteers must be 18 years or older.
Participate in Our Repair Cafe
Do you have the skills needed to repair a variety of items?
- Help during Repaire Cafè community events
- Assist the community repair their broken items
- Share your unique skills
Assist with Clerical Work
Do you enjoy simple tasks which are less demanding?
- Filing/Shredding
- Prepare crafts for children’s programs
Help with Circulation Services
Are you detail oriented and enjoy working independently?
- Retrieve reserved items from the shelves
- Reshelve returned materials
- Weed materials from the collection
- Adopt a shelf
- Maintain periodicals and newspapers
- Sort donated books
Help with Programming
Are you highly skilled and want to share your talents with others?
- Be a book club facilitator
- Create a program–this would be great to do with a friend
- Start an ESL conversation circle
- Provide homework help
Assist with Special Events and Services
Do you have little time, yet still want to volunteer?
- Help with a book sale
- Assist with back to school nights
- Deliver materials to homebound patrons
- Maintain the library landscaping
Friend Your Library
The Friends of GCLS always welcome new members. If active membership is not possible, the Friends welcome membership as a sponsor. All proceeds are used to help improve library service.
- Attend programs and events
- Volunteer your time, energy, and ideas
- Speak out in support of your library
- Join Friends of GCLS
Adopt a Shelf
Adopt a Shelf is a volunteer opportunity for individuals, families, and/or organizations. Volunteers donate time to keep one section of the library neat and in order. Volunteers may choose from a variety of sections that need the most care.
Guidelines for adopting a shelf:
- Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age. If a volunteer is under 15 years old, he or she must be accompanied by another person 15 years or older.
- Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 12 month commitment.
- Volunteers will be trained by library staff, but have knowledge of filing items in alphabetical order. Knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System is a plus.
- Be comfortable lifting books and reaching the top and bottom shelves. Volunteers may be kneeling, bending, and/or crouching.
- Volunteers will work during regular library hours.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure the items are in proper order according to their section, per the Dewey Decimal System for nonfiction and alphabetical for fiction.
- Maintain the overall appearance of the shelves. Straighten books on shelf, move books to the front ledge and tighten brackets as necessary.
- Dust shelves as needed.
- Reshelve materials out of place.
- Any damaged, dirty, torn, stained, and/or ripped materials should be brought to the Circulation Staff.
Why does the library need volunteers?
Volunteers bring the library enthusiasm, energy, added talents, and a fresh perspective. They enhance, rather than replace adequate staffing. They enrich the library’s offerings, rather than provide basic service. Volunteer service helps the library make the best use of its fiscal resources. Volunteers are liaisons to the community and by their contribution are advocates for quality library service.
Donate
You can view the full Gifts and Donations Policy for more information.
SECTION 3.0 – LIBRARY MATERIAL DONATION
The Gloucester County Library System (GCLS) accepts donations of books, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs. GCLS may accept donations of materials that pertain to local history. Items must be in good condition. Good condition is defined as not containing dirt, dust, mold, mildew, water damage, musty odor, broken bindings, torn, missing, yellowed or brittle pages, or markings in pen, pencil, crayon or highlighter. An inscription or ownership stamp (including a bookplate) is acceptable. GCLS reserves the right to add any donated item(s) to the collection or distribute, sell, or discard them.
The Library will not accept newspapers, newsletters, magazines or encyclopedias.
The Library will not appraise or assign a monetary value to donated materials. On request, a statement acknowledging receipt of the donation will be provided.
Donors should call the library before bringing in donated materials. Library staff are not available to lift or carry any boxes, bags, etc. of donated items. Library staff are not available to pick up donated material from patron homes.
Library staff reserve the right to accept or reject donations based on the above criteria, as well as storage considerations. GCLS will not guarantee donated items will be added to the collection.