The Friends of the Carthage Public Library is a group of volunteers. Our mission is to support and assist the Carthage Public Library in its policies and programs; to promote the development of excellent library service in the community; to foster closer relations between the library and the citizens of the community; to promote knowledge of the library's functions, resources and needs; and to provide the means for members to exchange ideas, information and experiences.
The Friends group provides volunteers to help with Library projects and programs, conducts fund raisers and supplements the library budget by funding programs or purchasing materials, furnishings, or other items for the Carthage Public Library.
The Friends group provides volunteers to help with Library projects and programs, conducts fund raisers and supplements the library budget by funding programs or purchasing materials, furnishings, or other items for the Carthage Public Library.

Friends of the Library Pi Day Pie Sale Fundraiser
Pick up your pre-ordered pies at the Library on March 14
9:30 am - 7:00 pm
All money raised will go to the Library's Capital Campaign
for the new building.
Thank you to everyone who ordered a pie and especially to our wonderful bakers!
Pick up your pre-ordered pies at the Library on March 14
9:30 am - 7:00 pm
All money raised will go to the Library's Capital Campaign
for the new building.
Thank you to everyone who ordered a pie and especially to our wonderful bakers!
2022 Gift Basket Raffle a Success!
Thank you to the businesses and community members who donated items for our wonderful gift baskets. Thanks also to everyone who purchased tickets.
With ticket sales and donations we raised $1785!!!
That's twice as much as we raised the previous year.
Since the "Fill Our Stocking" fundraising goal was met by Christmas, the money raised from the gift basket raffle is being applied to the "Stories from the Library" $25,000 matching challenge.
It is all part of the Capital Campaign to raise money to construct a new library building.
Thank you to the businesses and community members who donated items for our wonderful gift baskets. Thanks also to everyone who purchased tickets.
With ticket sales and donations we raised $1785!!!
That's twice as much as we raised the previous year.
Since the "Fill Our Stocking" fundraising goal was met by Christmas, the money raised from the gift basket raffle is being applied to the "Stories from the Library" $25,000 matching challenge.
It is all part of the Capital Campaign to raise money to construct a new library building.

Friends of the Library Vice-President, Linda Tobias, presents a check for $1785 from the Friends to Carthage Public Library District trustees, Donna Tracy and Andy Bastert.
January 9, 2023
STORIES FROM THE LIBRARY -
HELP US BUILD - $25,000 MATCHING CHALLENGE
HELP US BUILD - $25,000 MATCHING CHALLENGE

In order to keep up the positive momentum from our successful Fill Our Stocking campaign, one donor has issued a matching challenge - if the community can raise another $25,000, she give a matching donation.
The donor is also encouraging everyone to tell their stories about what the library means to them.
Here is her story:
“I grew up in Carthage and recall vividly the role that the library played in my childhood. My siblings and I stopped by often on our way home from school or on a slow Saturday when the pool wasn't open. When Mother couldn't find one of us, she phoned the library early in her search to see if we were there - hidden in the stacks with a book.
The library taught me so much - to value the experiences of others, to see reading as a ticket to adventure, to take the time to start early on one of Miss Allison's research papers, and to return our books on time. I am so happy to support the new library project. I do so in gratitude for my own experience and hope that others will join the effort to create an important new home for an institution that has served many well for years.”
Please share your library stories with us. Drop them off at the library, post them on the Library's or Foundation's Facebook pages, or email them to carthagelibrarydirector@gmail.com. We will happily share your stories, either with or without your name, whichever you prefer.
The donor is also encouraging everyone to tell their stories about what the library means to them.
Here is her story:
“I grew up in Carthage and recall vividly the role that the library played in my childhood. My siblings and I stopped by often on our way home from school or on a slow Saturday when the pool wasn't open. When Mother couldn't find one of us, she phoned the library early in her search to see if we were there - hidden in the stacks with a book.
The library taught me so much - to value the experiences of others, to see reading as a ticket to adventure, to take the time to start early on one of Miss Allison's research papers, and to return our books on time. I am so happy to support the new library project. I do so in gratitude for my own experience and hope that others will join the effort to create an important new home for an institution that has served many well for years.”
Please share your library stories with us. Drop them off at the library, post them on the Library's or Foundation's Facebook pages, or email them to carthagelibrarydirector@gmail.com. We will happily share your stories, either with or without your name, whichever you prefer.

FILL OUR STOCKING CAMPAIGN
Our goal is to raise $25,000 from Nov. 1 - Jan. 31 and
to revitalize our overall Capital Campaign.
* Make a tax deductible year-end gift to the Carthage District Library Foundation.
(See the Foundation's page for more information & ways to make on-line donations.)
* Donate funds for an engraved brick or paver.
* Leave spare change in the stocking at the Library.
* Purchase tickets for the Friends Gift Basket Raffle (Nov. 14-Dec. 14).
* Share the link to the Library's GoFundMePage and Facebook posts.
This campaign is a joint effort between the Foundation, Library Board, and Friends.
This Campaign was a success, raising $25,277.87 by December 31, 2022.
FRIENDS Membership & Dues
There are many ways to support the library through the Friends of the Carthage Public Library
There are many ways to support the library through the Friends of the Carthage Public Library
- Attend regular meetings and be part of the executive board.
- Pay dues annually - this makes you an "official" member of the Friends
- Volunteer to help with activities
- Participate in Fundraisers
- Attend the annual meeting
It's time to renew your Friends Membership
and Pay Your Dues Forms are available at the library, or may be downloaded from the file below. ![]()
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USED BOOKS
You don't need to wait for a special sale.
Used books are always available in the library for a donation to the Friends of the Library.
Stop in during regular library hours
JOIN THE FRIENDS
Community members are encouraged to become official members of the Friends of the Library
by completing a membership form (available through this link or at the Library) and paying dues.
We are seeking more individuals to attend regular meetings -
to serve as the Executive Board to assist the Officers

Donate to the New Library Building Construction Project
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Make checks payable to Carthage District Library Foundation and bring or mail them to the Library. You can also make a donation with a credit card using the button at the left,
or through our Go Fund Me account: https://gofund.me/77b36961 (fees apply). See below for our engraved brick and paver fundraiser. |
UPDATE -- Building Project Delayed
The voters passed the bond referendum, which provided the local cost share the Library needed to secure the almost $1.26 million in grant funding to construct a new library building.
The building was designed and the project was put out for bids. However the costs of labor and materials have skyrocketed and the two bids both came in at over $5 million - which is more than double the cost of the original project.
The Board is working with the architect to simplify the building plans in an effort to reduce costs, but additional funds are needed for the construction as well as for furnishings, shelving, and equipment.
Please help us contact former residents and alumni, friends, and family members and urge them to contribute to this project!
All donations are welcome - in person, via check, online with Paypal or a credit card using the Donate button above (fees apply), or through the GoFundMe Page: https://gofund.me/77b36961. For tax purposes, major donations should be made to the Carthage District Library Foundation, an official 501(c)3.
This brochure lists some of the steps of our journey as well as FAQs about the project.
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FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY NEWSLETTERS
Click the date below to view
Jan. 2016 April 2016 July 2016 Oct. 2016 Jan. 2017 May 2017 Aug. 2017
Jan. 2018 May 2018 Sept. 2018
Click the date below to view
Jan. 2016 April 2016 July 2016 Oct. 2016 Jan. 2017 May 2017 Aug. 2017
Jan. 2018 May 2018 Sept. 2018
Newsletters are now being produced by the Library, instead of the Friends. Printed copies are available in the library, or
contact them at cartlib@mtcnow.net to request to be added to the email list.
They can also be downloaded from the main page of the Library's website.
contact them at cartlib@mtcnow.net to request to be added to the email list.
They can also be downloaded from the main page of the Library's website.