The Friends of the Jefferson Public Library honored Barb Labate as the library’s “Friends of the Year” for 2016. The presentation was made at a reception Thursday, Oct. 6, at the library.
Each year since 1997, the Friends of the Library has honored an outstanding library volunteer. “The library relies on volunteers and we want them to know how appreciative we are,” said Friends president Deb Kucerak. Pictured are Labate (left) and Kucerak (right).
This year, the Friends honored past president Barb Labate. Labate first joined the Friends of the Library board in 2001. She soon assumed the chairmanship of the annual used book sale and became president in 2007, a post she held until 2015. Labate served as an advocate for the library and its many programs and services. Under her leadership the Friends achieved IRS nonprofit status, funded new technology for the library, and continued programs like the summer reading program, the library’s participation in Trick-or-Treat Around the Square, and more.
The Friends’ used book sales are the group’s largest fundraisers. Labate has continued as chair of that project. The next book sale will be in December, followed by a spring book sale in April.
