MonticelloLive

The Monticello Branch Library is getting geared up for their annual Valentine’s Chocolate Extravaganza. The event is put on each year by the Friends of the Library. Branch Manager Nona Dumas says the sole purpose of the Friends is to further the interest of the library. This Candy Extravaganza is the only fundraiser for the Friends and it continues to make a big impact on the library. In 2006, 5,000 boxes of homemade Valentine’s candy were sold, netting a sum of $4,200, all of which went to the library. Funding the Summer Reading Program, furniture for the library, a beautiful rug, and providing internet service for the patrons of the library were only some of what the money was used for.

Every summer many Monticello children are influenced by the wonderful reading program. The library participates in a collaborative effort including libraries from 41 states to provide a themed six-week program for children ages 3-12. They pull out all the stops to make reading fun with story times, crafts, and a huge fun-filled finale to the program.

Friend Marilyn Weih says the library has always been a special place to her family. She loves to read and has helped her three children develop that same love for reading by participating as a story-time reader and becoming involved in helping the library. She is a Friend of the Library because she feels it is important for our community to have all the needed resources available.

Nona Dumas, along with all the library staff are grateful to Friends Chairman Judy Murphy and Co-Chairman Mary Ramsey for all the hard work they and many others invest in the fund raiser. About 150 candy makers are involved in the process.

If you’d like to become involved or find out more about the Extravaganza please contact the library at 367-8583 for more information. Candy samplers are a sweet reward for a donation to Friends of the Library ($5 minimum). Only a few tickets for these tasty boxes of treats remain this year.