Friends of the Blanco Library, a volunteer organization, supports the Blanco Library by sponsoring projects to raise funds to help the library function. One 2008 project was nominated by Jan Redmond, Blanco Librarian, for an award from CTLS (Central Texas Library System). This project was held at the Old Blanco County Courthouse on November 11, 2008 and consisted of two activities. One activity preserved historical documents. Individuals brought old pictures, letters and other documents of historical interest to be photocopied or photographed by students from Texas State University. There was a great response and many interesting documents will be available for viewing and research at the library. The other activity was an antique road show type event. Individuals brought in a variety of antiques and a registered antique appraiser gave an estimate of what they might be worth. Both activities were extremely successful and the event raised over $400 for the Blanco Library. This event won the CTLS award for the best Friends project of 2008.

Friends projects are off to a great start in 2009 with two events currently scheduled. The first will be a dinner and movie on March 27. The dinner will begin at 6:00pm in the Old Blanco County Courthouse and will be provided by Sibby Barrett of Onion Creek Kitchens. The movie, Eat Drink Man Woman, will be shown at the library after dinner. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the library.

The second project will be a program provided by Kinky Friedman. It will be at the Old Blanco County Courthouse on April 4 from 1:00 to 4:00pm. His books may be purchased at the program and he will sign autographs. Kinky will also provide a reading as part of the program. Tickets are $10.

Friends of the Blanco Library is also finishing up their annual membership drive. This is an important event because it provides money to purchase books and periodicals for the library. Books and periodicals are expensive and without membership support the library would not be able to provide the wide variety of books and periodicals the patrons want and need. If you haven’t sent yours in, please do so soon. If you have lost yours or it didn’t get to you, next time you are in the library pick up the forms.