Friends of the Library

WHO WE ARE
A non-profit, volunteer organization committed to creating broad community support for the East Greenbush Community Library as a major and expanding cultural resource and vital part of the East Greenbush community.
Get InvolvedDonate

What We Do

The Friends of the Library support literacy, learning, and community by hosting fundraising events, merchandise sales, and special programs. They also advocate for libraries, highlighting their value and impact.

November Friendsgiving - Together we can make a difference.

Friendsgiving

Month of November

Give thanks this November! Support the Friends of the Library and help fund programs that inspire, connect, and enrich our community year-round.

Friendsgiving
Friends of the Library November Raffle: Star Wars, tickets $1 each, drawing 11/30

Star Wars Raffle Basket

Drawing: November 30, 2025

This out-of-this-world basket includes the Thrawn series by Timothy Zahn, books by Claudia Gray, and Clone Wars Season 1. Tickets are $1 each at the Service Desk.

Friends of the Library November raffle: Sherlock Holmes, tickets $1 each, drawing 11/30

Sherlock Holmes Raffle Basket

Drawing: November 30, 2025

Solve mysteries like Sherlock Holmes! This basket includes novels, games, puzzles, and more. Tickets are $1 each at the Service Desk.

image of Friends year-round book sale display cases located next to the reference desk

Year-Round Book Sale

Visit our book sale in the library center, near the Reference Desk. Two cases of books for all ages are regularly restocked. Purchase at the Service Desk.

eBay Storefront
Book Donations

Night at the Library Raises $12K for Community Programs

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Night at the Library, a Friends of the Library fundraising event held on October 18. This community celebration featured a silent art auction with local artists, raffle baskets from local businesses, hors d’oeuvres from Arlington House, live music by Swallowtail Vagabonds, and a mini paint & sip activity.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, and volunteers, the event raised over $12,000 in support of East Greenbush Library programs and services. Your contributions enable the Friends of the Library to support educational programs, cultural events, and lifelong learning opportunities for all ages.

Event Sponsors
kids of all ages brushing and petting the pony from travelling Petting Zoo that visited the library to Kickoff Summer Reading 2025
image of girl handling chicken eggs in the incubator as part of the chicken incubation program for kids ages 5+
Singer of the Scarlett Fever music group performing on the library patio.
Group of kids participating in the Minecraft Geology program at the Library
Group of Friends of the Library volunteers working the October 2025 book sale

Become A Volunteer

Volunteering with the Friends of the Library is a rewarding way to support your community, meet new people, and support the library. Opportunities include book sale prep, event support, fundraising, advocacy, and more. To get involved email the Friends at foegcl@gmail.com.

Advocate for Libraries

At key times of the year, the Friends Advocacy & Awareness group collaborates with the library to support outreach events, supports the library at NYLA’s Library Advocacy Day, and organizes “Get Out The Vote” initiatives to inform community members about the annual Library District Budget Vote & Election.

Become A Friend

Becoming a member of the Friends has its perks– such as member-only activities, early book sale shopping hours, access to special collections, and much more! Membership benefits

Pay Online via PayPal or major credit card
Pay By Check payable to the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library with completed paper form.

Mail to:
Friends c/o East Greenbush Community Library
10 Community Way East Greenbush, NY 12061

Thank you for your support and welcome to the Friends!

3 image collage of Friends library advocacy initiatives, make a note to remember to vote, touch-a-truck tabling event, NYLA Library Advocacy Day

Making A Difference

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the Friends of the Library advocacy and fundraising initiatives. Together, through your contributions as volunteers and donors we are making a difference in our community! Your support enables the Friends to help the library continue to offer programs that inspire curiosity, foster connection, and enhance the quality of life in our community.

 

Friends Grants
Each year the Friends of the Library award grants to the Library to support programs, collections and library operations.

2025 Friends Grants
2024 Friends Grants
storytime at the library

Friends Board Meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 | 6 PM
The Friends meet in the library at 6:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of January, February, April, June, September, and November. All are welcome to attend.
Friends Board Members
Julie Ann Price, President
Shay Harrison, Vice President
Diana Vance, Secretary
Liz Reyner, Treasurer
Maryann Baird, Membership
Sarah Holston, Membership Co-chair
Julie Ann Price, Fundraising Co-chair
Jenn Romer, Fundraising Co-chair
Diana Valenchis, Advocacy & Awareness Co-chair
Betty Bellino Gugino, Advocacy & Awareness Co-chair

Call for Candidates

2025 Candidate Interest Form

2025 Election

2026 Endorsed Slate

Policy Manual (DRAFT)

By Laws
Amendments to By-Laws (October 2023)
Friends By-Laws (updated January 17, 2023)

Meeting Minutes

2025
January
February
April
June

2024
January
February
April Minutes
April Treasurer’s Report
June Minutes
June Treasurer’s Report
September
September Treasurer’s Report
November – revised 1/27/2025

Become a Friend or Donate Today!

Get InvolvedDonate
Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items
Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders