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Friends of East Shore Area Library (FESAL)

Show your support for your community library. Become a “Friend” of the East Shore Area Library! The Friends of the East Shore Area Library (FESAL) is a non-profit group, separate from the Dauphin County Library system. FESAL supports the East Shore Area Library (ESAL) with fundraising, special events, and advocacy.

>> ESAL Friends Application Form - Become a Friend

Book sales are held in the spring & fall, normally April/May & October. Volunteer opportunities involve helping to collect, sort, & sell books at our book sales. Our books are all donated and many of our members volunteer their time to “work” at the sales. All of our proceeds from book sales, along with members’ donations, benefit the East Shore Area Library (ESAL). We have given ESAL more than $100,000 over the past ten years from our fundraising which has allowed the library to purchase audiobooks, shelving, chairs, display fixtures, and more. In 2011, FESAL pledged $53,000 to renovate one of ESAL’s meeting rooms to convert it into a space dedicated to provide children’s programming. To date, we have received $31,000 towards our goal. The dedication for the “Dr. Henry Greenawald Room” will be held at 10:30 A.M. on April 9, 2012 (lower level of ESAL).

>>Download a donation form to help us reach our goal.

As a member of FESAL, you are eligible to attend the annual meeting and also “Members Only” book sales during the membership year (normally the day before the public gets to buy books). You will also receive our Newsletter “Just Between Friends”. Membership is open to anyone at least 18 years old. Children 17 and younger may attend the “Members Only” book sales with a parent or sibling who is a member.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Bonnie Hindman at b2hindman@aol.com

2012 Spring Book Collection Dates:
Thursday, April 26 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, April 27 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, April 28 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Members Only Private Sale (join at the door for as little as $5):
Wednesday, May 2 – 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Book Sale Dates:
Thursday, May 3 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, May 4 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, May 5 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

East Shore Area Library

Number of members: 380
Frequency of meetings: monthly
Average number attending meetings: 10-12 (Board)
Frequency of book sales: 2/year (April/May; Oct)
-- Years 2007-2011 gave ESAL $83,420
-- Very small reserve fund kept by Friends

Where books are stored: Shed at ESAL
Where sales are held: ESAL
Other regular & special Friends activities: Pitch in with library projects; phone tree for library advocacy; possibly sponsor programs in addition to Summer Reading Club prizes; sponsor Adult Programming

Learn More about becoming a Friend of the Library