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Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County

Community + Opportunity

Friends of the Ruth Enlow Library (Test)

The Friends of the Ruth Enlow Library is a group organized to bring together fellow citizens who value their public library. The Friends work for a better library for the community and speak up for good library service whenever and wherever their efforts are needed.

The Friends pursue this mission through education, advocacy, and fundraising.

Meeting Times

Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at the Main Library at 5:30 PM - guests and new prospective members are always welcome. Check our calendar for details about the next meeting.

Use PayPal Donate link above to make your donation today!

Summer Reading Club with Jitterbug Movement Studio

Programming & Activities

The Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland, Maryland, is a vibrant hub for the community, offering a wide range of programs and activities for all ages. From engaging story times and book clubs for children to thought-provoking discussions and educational workshops for adults, there's something for everyone.

Whether you're looking to expand your mind, connect with others, or simply enjoy a good book, the Ruth Enlow Library has something to offer.

Summer Reading Club

The Friends of the Library helped to make this year’s Summer Reading Club especially action-packed thanks to a much-appreciated $2,500 donation.

The library was able to send a variety of fun prizes home with the Reading Challenge participants, as well as larger gift cards for overall prize drawing winners at each branch.

Attendees enjoyed 19 in-person programs, including a theatrical kick-off presented by the Lohr Family Circus, dance instruction from Jitterbug Movement Studio, and a live bird exhibit by the Avian Conservation Center in Appalachia. The library is beyond grateful to the Friends for their continual, game-changing support of Summer Reading Club.

By the Numbers

511
People Registered

2634
Books Read

19
In-Person Programs

16
Take-Home Programs

852
Attendees Combined

163
Log Completions

Scholarship

The Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland, Maryland, has a strong commitment to supporting education and community development. One way they do this is through their scholarship program, which offers financial assistance to local students pursuing higher education. This scholarship helps deserving students offset the costs of tuition, books, and other expenses, making their academic goals more attainable.

The scholarship program is funded through donations and fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Ruth Enlow Library. This dedicated group of volunteers works tirelessly to raise money for the scholarship fund, ensuring that it can continue to benefit students for years to come. By supporting the scholarship program, the Friends of the Ruth Enlow Library are making a significant impact on the lives of young people in the community.

Attendees enjoyed 19 in-person programs, including a theatrical kick-off presented by the Lohr Family Circus, dance instruction from Jitterbug Movement Studio, and a live bird exhibit by the Avian Conservation Center in Appalachia. The library is beyond grateful to the Friends for their continual, game-changing support of Summer Reading Club.

Shred Day

The Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland, Maryland, offers a valuable community service with its annual Shred Day event. This popular event provides residents with a convenient and secure way to dispose of sensitive documents, such as old tax returns, bank statements, and medical records. By hosting Shred Day, the library helps to protect individuals from identity theft and fraud.

On Shred Day, a mobile shredding truck is brought to the library, where attendees can bring their confidential documents for on-site shredding. In late February, the Friends of the Library donated $325 to pay for a day of paper shredding provided by Sunrise Sanitation’s mobile document destruction truck.

This ensures that the documents are destroyed securely and cannot be reconstructed. By participating in Shred Day, community members can have peace of mind knowing that their personal information is safe and protected.

National Library Week

During National Library Week, the Friends generously funded $250 of giveaways. They also graciously supported the main library’s hosting of the Business After Hours Chamber of Commerce event held at the main library to highlight National Library Week.

Victorian Chautauqua Writers’ Workshops

In July the Victorian Chautauqua Writers’ Workshop provided a five-day creative writing workshop, “Wonder of All Wonders: The Natural World” with author Charlotte Matthews, for children grades 3 - 5. Attendence was made possible with the Friends’ donation of $2,000 to cover the children’s tuition fees.

Filling in the Gaps...

In addition to the Friends’ other contributions, the group provided the library with its yearly subscription to the New York Times Review of Books, as well as $1,900 in extremely important interim funding that allows the library to purchase new materials for patrons during May and June.

Also, this year the Friends provided a $200 honorarium to make possible an author event with Francis Gary Powers, Jr. The Friends’ support continues to be instrumental in the success of the library’s programming and offerings.

Friends of the Library Newsletter

The Friends of the Ruth Enlow Library's Winter 2023 newsletter highlighted a variety of exciting events and initiatives. One of the main focuses was the library's ongoing commitment to providing educational opportunities for the community. The newsletter showcased upcoming programs like author talks, book clubs, and children's story times. These events aimed to inspire a love of reading and learning among people of all ages.

Another important aspect covered in the newsletter was the Friends' fundraising efforts. They shared information about upcoming events and campaigns designed to raise money for library improvements and programs. These funds are crucial for maintaining the library's resources and offering new services to the community. The newsletter also recognized the generous donations and volunteer hours of the Friends' members, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the library's success.

In addition to the events and fundraising initiatives, the Winter 2023 newsletter provided updates on library services and resources. It reminded readers about the library's extensive collection of books, movies, and digital materials, as well as the availability of technology and study spaces. The newsletter also encouraged readers to explore the library's website for online resources and digital services.

Download the Winter 2023 Newsletter

Please use the link below to download the most recent Friends of the Library Newsletter:

Friends’ Winter 2023 Newsletter

Join the Team

Stay up to date with events and newsletters by joining the Friends of the Library. Suggested dues are $15.00. All donations include membership. We meet the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm at the Oakland (Main) Library.

Share your ideas and have a say in how donations are spent!