TO THE EDITOR:

Our libraries are here and are not going anywhere except to get better. Circulation in 2006 at the North Branch Area Library was up 17 percent over 2005. Get this -- 100,727 items were checked out of the NB Library in 2006. We were number three in position behind the Cambridge and Princeton libraries and their population areas are greater. The Community Room is used frequently. The computers are in demand. 

The Friends of the NB Library have been very active going on seven years. We have been instrumental in pursuing grants and providing programs. We have raised and expended thousands of dollars to enhance our library. We are very proud of it. We worked hard at the old site and have worked even harder since the new building was opened for business. Our funding provides much that is not covered by any other budgets -- city, county, or East Central headquarters. We are happy to do it because we love our library and thrilled to assist such a capable librarian as Sue Monroe and her staff. How fortunate we are to point with pride to this achievement.

If you haven't been in our library yet, take the time to stop by. We truly have a gem and we are grateful to all who provided this facility. We also invite you to join the Friends and help us continue our work. Memberships are only $10 per calendar year per family. An application can be downloaded from our Web site: www.nblfriends.org or stop by the library and pick one up. Every penny from memberships, donations, grants, and fund-raisers goes into our library in some form.

Jackie Larson
Secretary
Friends of the North Branch Library