LONGMEADOW — The Friends of Storrs Library is celebrating its 30th year of bringing programming to library patrons.
To mark this occasion, the Friends have organized three community events to take place over the next few months.
The Friends is an organization dedicated to enhancing the experiences of library patrons through programming that is outside the library’s operating budget. Julia Mitchell, president of the Friends of Storrs Library, said that includes a wide range of activities, from arranging guest speakers to sponsoring a mahjong club. “There’s something going on at the library every day that’s funded by the Friends,” she said. The Friends also supplement the library’s selection of materials and books.
The funds for the materials and activities are mostly sourced through one major fundraising campaign: the annual book sale. “If there’s one thing Longmeadow is, it’s readers,” Mitchell said. In 2024, the Friends also organized a high tea at the library, which added to its coffers. As a result, and because the Friends are celebrating their 30th year, Mitchell said, “We decided to swing bid for the bleachers” and raised $30,000.
The Friends are kicking off the end of year celebration with Food Truck & Family Fun Day on Sunday, Oct. 26. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the front lawn of the library will be filled with entertainment, family-friendly lawn games, a balloon artist and the chance to make a classic hay scarecrow. The lineup of live music includes Date Night with The Fazios! — Chrissy and Tony Fazio, Our Three, Koko Lorne, Zyn and Taylorpalooza.
When people get hungry, they can visit the library parking lot where a wide variety of food trucks will be stationed. Longmeadow’s own Latest Kraez and Fletcher’s BBQ Shop and Steakhouse will have food trucks on the scene. From Cousin’s Maine Lobster and SNKC Food to Jen’s Organics and Lattitude Pizza, Mitchell said there will be something for everyone. Melted Tap will have desserts, while Monsoon Roastery and One Way Brewing will have beverages available.
Admission to the event is free and open to the public. Mitchell said that was important, because the festivities are meant to be a thank you to the residents for their years of support. “It’s our gift to the community,” she said.
Throughout November, the Friends will be hosting “30 for 30,” an opportunity to learn 30 skills over 30 days. Mitchell said the skills are easy enough to master in 30 minutes. Related presentations are scheduled back-to-back in 90 minutes blocks, on 10 separate days. The days are themed as “The Savvy Traveler’s Toolkit,” “Self-Care Fundamentals,” “Kitchen Confidence,” “Safety First,” “Master Your Look,” “The Art of Elevated Entertaining” and “Skills to Amaze.” The schedule can be found at friendsofstorrslibrary.org. The Friends have never organized such an ambitious event, Mitchell said, laughing, “and now I know why.”
To round out the year, on Dec. 6, the Friends will host what Mitchell described as “the most unusual cookie bake sale I’ve ever seen.” She explained that many of the Friends’ members are bakers. For the sale, they will bake an array of different cookies. People can purchase a box, and then select cookies to fill it with.
Mitchell said, “As long as the box closes, it’s just one flat price. She joked that she did not know if it was more impressive to see the “massive amount” of cookies available or how many cookies people can stuff into a box.
The sale will also feature floral arrangements using pieces of china that were sourced during the Friends’ high tea event.
Mitchell said interacting with the community is her favorite part of being a member of the Friends. “So many people come into the library and say, ‘This library has been so important in our lives. My kids come here after school and have a safe place to go.’ Or we had a woman whose husband had died, and she said she could go there and feel like she was at home, but there are people all around her.” Mitchell said she could relate. “You sort of step into it, and you feel like you’re stepping into someone’s home,” she said, “It just happens to be filled with all these wonderful books.”
