Programs & Events
The Friends support reading, education, the library and the community. Here you can learn about our Programs and Events. We encourage you to become involved!
Annual Meeting
Every year, around the end of September, the Friends have an Annual Meeting. All the Friends are invited, as well as the public. Board Members (outgoing, current and incoming) recap and discuss the Friends organization. Recognition is given, goals and future plans are revealed, and guest authors are invited to speak to the assembly. Kathleen Kent was the guest author for the 2010 Annual Meeting, and she discussed her book, The Heretic's Daughter. Kathleen is a Dallas-area resident, accomplished author and speaker.
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BOOKBabble Discussion Group
Each month, members read and discuss the best in literary fiction, memoir and biography. Meetings are held on the second or third Wednesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. BOOKbabble has now expanded to a night-time edition. Members still read and discuss the best in literary fiction, memoir and biography, but now meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required for both. Please call Janet Vance or Penny Manly at 972-744-4350 to sign up.
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Book Sale
Each spring and fall we have a book sale. The Friends of the Library rely on Book Sale revenues to fund projects and efforts of the organization throughout the entire year. While those who attend the Book Sale and spread the word about it are greatly appreciated, the Friends have one more request…donate your used books and other related materials to help raise funds! Books for the annual Sale come not only from the library, but also through contributions from individuals like you! In fact, this is one simple way members can regularly contribute and help the Friends support library initiatives. We accept donations year-round. They can either be dropped off at the Richardson Library, or member volunteers will gladly pick-up the books or materials (see contacts and phone numbers below). Best sellers, new releases, hardback books, children's books, dvd/tapes of movies or books are especially welcome!
All donations are tax deductible, and you will be given an appropriate form for your contribution.
Contacts for pickup service:
Tom Goode (972) 680-3282
Sandy Martin (972) 744-0419
meet the book sale committee
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Christmas Parade
The Friends are a sponsor of the annual Christmas Parade. Last year, the sponsorship allowed the Friends to decorate the "Cupid" reindeer truck and ride it along the parade route. Hundreds of entries and thousands of spectators make the parade a great opportunity for the Friends to raise awareness of the Friends organization, and the libarary, as well as promote reading, literacy and education.
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Library Staff Appreciation Luncheon
The Friends host a lunch every March to show appreciation for the staff of the Richardson Public Library. Food and beverages are served to the staff and an opportunity is provided for the Friends and others to acknowledge their hard work and dedication.
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Library Staff Christmas Dessert Party
A holiday tradition of the Friends is the library staff Christmas dessert party. The party is held each December. Cupcakes and other desserts are made with love and offered to the library staff as a holiday gift.
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Richardson Reads One Book
Each year, one book is chosen to be the one book that Richardson reads.The Friends are avid supporters of Richardson Reads One Book. Richardson Reads One Book is a hugely successful program and has helped to promote reading and community fellowship. The 2012 One Book selection is One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni. Past Richardson Reads One Book selections have been:
- On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (2011)
- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (2010)
- Three Cups of Tea by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson (2009)
- Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian (2008)
- The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (2007)
- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (2006)
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2005)
- Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde (2004)
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Santa's Village
A heartwarming event for the young and young at heart, where all of the sights and sounds of the holiday season can be enjoyed! Santa's Village features a variety of dwellings each with a different activity and live entertainment on stage. The Friends support and volunteer at the library dwelling to help raise awareness of the library and the Friends group.
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Scholarship Program
Dorothy “Dot” McCalpin Distinguished Friends of the Library Scholarship. Each year the Friends of the Richardson Library will award a scholarship in honor of Dorothy "Dot" McCalpin. The scholarship will be awarded to recipient based on character, scholastic ability, extra-curricular activities, community service and two short essays.
In 2012, there will be one scholarship awarded of $1,000. The scholarship will be paid directly to the applicant’s college or university in August 2012.
Applicants must:
- Active participation in a volunteer program at the Richardson Public Library since January 1, 2011
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Full-time student attending an accredited college or university as of the Fall 2012 semester
Submit the following documents:
- Completed application (request an application by email here)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- High school transcript
- Resume of extra-curricular and volunteer activities
- Two word essays of up to 500 words on the role of the library in the 21st century and the role of volunteering in your life
Deadline for application: Friday, March 30th, 2012.
Please see the application for instructions on how to submit.
Scholarship recipients will be notified after May 1st.
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Wildflower Festival
Each year Friends volunteer to serve the community at the Wildflower festival. For three days, approximately 70,000 people visit the festival to enjoy live entertainment, arts, food, and shopping.
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Unwrapping the Classics
Unwrapping the Classics was initiated in September 2009. The purpose of the series is to present speakers who will talk about classic literature and will shed insights into the writing of the literature or its authors.
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