What we fund
A small library does a surprising amount of work. It lends musical instruments. And STEAM kits. And dementia kits, and backpacks for the state parks. It runs story time and wellness programs and a seed swap and a genealogy class. It is a warm room with fast internet for anyone who needs it. Here is how the Friends support this work:
Technology
Technology support, and some of the technology. We fully fund a weekly basic computer help assistant - a real person, on a schedule, who will sit down with you one-on-one and sort out your laptop, your phone, or whatever the printer is doing.
Summer reading
We contribute to the summer reading programs every year - the youth program, and the adult one alongside it, with gift baskets and gift cards for the readers who finish. The youth program provides kids in Rappahannock a reliable reading program when they're not in school.
Programs
We sponsor many youth programs: wildlife education, music programs, puppet shows, and magic shows.
Repairs and grounds
We pay for emergency and seasonal landscaping of the library grounds. And, when something breaks, the repair nobody planned for. Nobody puts a heat pump on a fundraising poster, but it still has to work in February.
Larger projects
The Friends support capital improvements and emergency repairs, as needed. Here are projects we have helped pay for, with the year we paid for them.
- New computers
- HVAC repair and meeting room furniture
- Lighting upgrade
What we do not fund
The library runs a great deal the Friends do not pay for - the wellness programs, the book club, author events, genealogy workshops, and the adult art classes. We are glad they exist, but we do not pay for them.
Help pay for it
Friends of the Rappahannock County Library
The Book Barn — Saturdays, 10–2. Closed Sunday through Friday.
Visit: 4 Library Road, Washington, VA 22747
Call: (540) 675-1125