Fall is on the way when the Friends of the Library gather for their annual membership event. A cool evening, delicious hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and lively conversations are on tap for Monday, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Cyndy Bailey, 509 Washington St. No RSVP is necessary, and, no, you don’t have to be a Friends of the Library member to come, but we hope you will be one when you leave!

You ask, “Who are the Friends of the Library and what do they do?”

The answer to the first is simple — community folks who have the common goal of supporting their library. Each September, they host a social event, “A Gathering of Friends” to elect officers, celebrate accomplishments and encourage memberships. Yearly membership is affordable: individual memberships are $10, families are $15, and contributors are $25 and over. The past year celebrated the largest membership in the history of FOL.

What they do is not so simple. The many accomplishments of the past year include sponsorship of Chocolate Milk Café for young writers during the NLCC and the sixth Poetry Contest for third and fourth graders, generous support of the Summer Library Program, donation of memorial books, support of genealogy research, the purchase of the online database Heritage Quest and the purchase of a rocking chair for the children’s reading area and magazine binders. The third membership directory was compiled and mailed. The Friends raise money for the Armstrong Library through the sales of the highly successful cookbook, In the Company of Friends, now in its third printing and at the twice-monthly used book sales. They secured a donation of trees from Grow Natchez Gardens to be planted this fall in the front of the library.

In addition to book sales and membership dues, FOL raises money for the Armstrong Library with the annual Christmas Tour of homes. This popular event features private homes not normally open for tours. While you are marking your calendar for this event, flip on over to Sunday, Dec. 7 and save that afternoon. This year’s event showcases four homes includes Maywood, Myrtle Bank, The Van Court Townhouse and White Wings

This year’s gathering will also mark the end of Linda Ogden’s two-year term as president and mark the beginning of Lucy Miller’s presidency.

Join us for fun, friendship and fellowship. Come, bring a friend who is not a Friend, and support the good works of the FOL. See you Monday! For further information, contact the library at 601-445-8862

Maria Bowser is the publicity chair of Friends of the Library.