Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library

Some Friends maintain membership to show support of our mission, while others have time to volunteer. The Friends strengthen our not-for-profit Library with the Library grounds, and hosting social occasions to build support of the Library.

We are a member of The Friends of Connecticut Libraries (FOCL), a non-profit organization consisting of Connecticut Friends groups, organizations and individual members who believe that libraries are an essential resource for the citizens of our State. (www.foclib.org)

How we work with the Library
The Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library is a non-profit private library association that serves as Old Lyme’s public library. Its operations rely on the financial generosity of the Community, an existing endowment fund, as well as partial funding from the Town of Old Lyme and the State of Connecticut. Phoebe’s Book Cellar, operated by Friends of the Library volunteers, helps provide additional funding for Library books, materials, and services.

The Library is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. The Trustees oversee the Library’s strategic direction, finances, communications, and development (fundraising) among other things. The Friends have a representative attend Trustee meetings, and a Trustee representative attends our quarterly Council meetings.

The Library Staff manages day-to-day Library operations, with their Director reporting regularly to the Trustees. There are currently ten staff members. The Friends Council regularly works with Library Staff to plan special events and promote library services.

Friends Council: The Friends organization is managed by a Council of approximately 12 volunteers who manage the Friends budget (from which net proceeds are donated to the Library) and ensures its objectives are met. The Council holds an annual meeting every June to review the previous year’s successes and nominate a slate of officers. All members of the Friends are invited to attend and vote during the annual meeting.

Phoebe’s BookCellar: Phoebe’s BookCellar, Old Lyme’s favorite bookstore, is an important contributor to our financial support of the Library. The Friends receive donated books, puzzles, DVDs, and CDs, and sell them as used for a low price. We house upwards of 7,000 books! All proceeds go to the Library. Volunteer roles include sales and donation processing and subject specialists pricing books in a specific genre. Commitments by Friends’ volunteers require as little as four hours a month. We are open Wednesdays (10am-4pm) and Saturdays (9:30am-1:30pm). There are “Special Sales” throughout the year which are announced on our Facebook page.

Garden Friends: The gardens of the Library add to the beauty of our location and are maintained by the Garden Friends. Responsibilities typically include a spring and fall clean-up, and one or two weeks during the summer for maintenance. Maintenance includes watering all pots and flower beds as necessary, weeding all areas and picking up any debris that may have scattered. Some people like to take the lead on different chores or garden spots. All help is welcome!

Hospitality Friends:  Our Hospitality Friends provide all the wonderful touches to social events at the Library, including member socials and the quarterly book sales of the BookCellar. In addition to the Friends’ own events, we support both the Board and the Library Staff in their social events. Our efforts include planning, sending out invitations, providing refreshments, party set-up and clean up.