The Friends’ Big Truck Book Sale Weekend in September was a huge hit. Thanks to you, we raised $3,260, sold more than 2,700 books and introduced our new Annual Membership Program. The Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library Annual Membership Program now includes free books and game rentals at Hilltop Books, 84 Bethlehem Pike.  With more than 15 tables and two vintage trucks loaded with books, bibliophiles stocked up on $1 paperbacks, $2 hardcovers and our popular end of the day $5 fill a bag. It was a great joy to see young families browsing five tables of kids and young adult books. The store encourages book donations and sells the used books as a fundraising project for the Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library.

The Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library was established in 1970 as a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Chestnut Hill Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. As a Friend, you join us in our

mission to serve Chestnut Hill’s most vibrant and essential community center.

As Friends, we continue to:

• Advocate for a fully funded and fully staffed public library system. With only one children’s librarian on staff, the Chestnut Hill Branch has been chronically understaffed. The branch has been without an Adult/Teen Librarian since 2019 and below the Free Library’s accepted staffing minimum.
• Step in when Free Library funding and resources limit our local library branch. Over the past several years, the Friends have sponsored numerous Children’s Book Author and Illustrator visits with local school children and continued this program virtually while the branch doors were closed.
• Supplements the frequently reduced collection budget so Chestnut Hill Library can purchase additional Adult, Teen, Children’s materials and periodicals.
• Cultivate excitement for reading and support a community of book lovers with fun events and volunteer opportunities.
• Press for resources to allow us the important work of after school services.
• Use the Hilltop storefront as a welcoming community space.

The Friends hope that you will consider becoming a Friends member today. Traditional Memberships start at a $30 suggested donation but contributions of any size have an immediate and positive influence on our Library. Should you wish to join us and make a donation, we are truly honored and grateful. Annual membership runs September 25, 2021 through September 24, 2022. Visit chlibraryfriends.org or hilltopbooks.org for more information and upcoming event schedule.