Feb 27, 2005 By Christine Haines 2 min read

BROWNSVILLE – The Friends of the Library members are hoping a basketful of spring items will bloom into a successful children’s summer reading program at the Brownsville Free Public Library. “The money that the Friends raise goes for the children’s programs,” said librarian Barry Blaine. “In the past, they’ve given us money for books. This will go for the summer reading program.”

Blaine said the Friends of the Library financed new carpeting, tables and chairs in the children’s reading area and sponsored a pizza party and a picnic for past summer reading programs.

This year’s fund-raising event will culminate March 20. It features a basket filled with seed packets, a small bird feeder, gardening tools, an ice chest, a small decorative watering can, bath and beauty items for gardeners, picture frames and a variety of decorative items.

Details about the effort are available at the library.

Rachel Mathianas, president of the Friends of the Library, said new members are always welcome.

“Right now we only have eight members,” Mathianas said. “We don’t do a lot of fund raisers. We Mainly do things to help the library and programs with the children.”

The Friends of the Library meets the first Tuesday of each month at the library at 6 p.m. The group assists with the children’s story hours and the summer program, raising funds as necessary.