The Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is expanding thanks to a $4,000 donation from District 3 Algoma of RTOERO.
This money will be used to help the non-profit grow the library’s collection of large-print books, and cover costs associated with increasing their activities and pop-up bookstores across the community.
The Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is a non-profit association that operates a used bookstore located in the Centennial Library. The Friends Bookstore operates six days a week and is run entirely by volunteers.
For more information, see the press release below.
The Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is expanding their outreach thanks to a $4,000 donation from District 3 Algoma of RTOERO. The donation will help to grow the library’s collection of large-print books, and cover costs associated with increasing their activities and pop-up bookstores across the community.
The District 3 funding is part of RTOERO’s annual community grants program. Since 1968, RTOERO has been a voice for teachers, school and board administrators, educational support staff and college and university faculty in their retirement.
The Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is a non-profit association that operates a vibrant used bookstore located within the Centennial Library on East Street in Sault Ste, Marie. The Friends Bookstore operates six days a week and is run entirely by volunteers.
“This organization plays a key role in promoting lifelong literacy and learning. We’re proud to partner with them to help them enhance their impact and presence, and broaden access to books,” says Wayne Greco, President, District 3 Algoma, RTOERO.
In 2024, the Bookstore generated over $40,000 for the Library, says Susan Hall, President of Friends of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library. The Friends also donate books on an ongoing basis to community organizations, including the Sault Area Hospital, the YMCA, Youth Hub, Algoma Conservatory of Music, and the Community Resource Centre, along with many “little free libraries” located around Sault Ste. Marie.
The grant will be used to expand the reach and community benefit of the Friends of the Library Bookstore by:
- Increasing access to affordable books from the Friends Bookstore across the community, including a new, mini-bookstore at the Library’s North Branch on Northern Avenue
- Adding to the collection of Large Print books at the Library and in the wider community
- Expanding overall awareness of the Friends Bookstore