Sometimes the library wants you to take the book and keep it! FLML has an ongoing Book Sale that is made possible by book donations. We also have quarterly “bag sales” where folks can get discounts and purchase books by the bag. The community gets amazing book deals and FLML makes money to support our other events.

This is a great opportunity to grow your household library and find little gifts. We love knowing that books keep moving around our community. If you’re interested in making a book donation, see the details on our Volunteer Page. If you’re interested in volunteering for the book sales click here.

Our FLML volunteers make our Book Sales possible by:

• Using their muscles— boxes of books don’t move themselves around!

• Setting up for the sale and working the quarterly sales

• Making Donations

• Spreading the word about our upcoming sales

When most think of the library, they think of checking out books alone, but FLML knows that is just the tip of the iceberg. Author’s Visits are scheduled throughout the year and provide a cultured experience for the citizens of Lexington.

Imagine beginning your evening experiencing a new novel through the eyes of the author. You hear how they built their story. You see how they blurred the lines between their own experiences and those fictional ones they created. Then, you enjoy hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants as you mingle afterward and get your copy signed.

Remember, becoming a Friend of the Lexington Main Library gives you an opportunity to make Lexington the place you love living. We want to be a unique place that offers something for everyone. What authors would you like to hear? What events do we need? What is next for Lexington? Join the FLML today and make it a reality tomorrow!

Our FLML volunteers make Authors’ Visits possible by:

• Funding these events

• Giving Ideas for future authors

• Spreading the word about these exciting events

If you are looking for that perfect gift, you need to stop by the Friends Corner Gift Shop. As an FLML member, you will receive a 10% discount on any of our already tax-free items. We offer a selection of interesting gift items including Lexington and South Carolina-themed gifts, greeting cards, candles, and reading accessories. Many of our items are hand-made by local artists.

We accept cash or check only and no sales tax is charged. All the profits from items sold here are used to benefit the Lexington Main Library so customers can feel good knowing their purchase has made an impact in their community.

Our FLML volunteers make our Friends Corner Gift Shop possible by:

• Funding the gift shop

• Suggesting local vendors

• Working the shop during peak shopping times around the holiday season

IBeing that we are Friends of the Lexington Main Library, we work closely with the staff at the main library. They bring us ideas, and we enjoy making them happen with support from our volunteers. We see it as a beautiful relationship, and each year we like to say thank you through a Staff Lunch.

FLML treats the staff to lunch each October during the National Friends of Libraries week. It is a catered event, and we use this time to show thanks to the library staff for everything they do for our community all year.

Our FLML volunteers make the Staff Lunch possible by:

• Funding the luncheon

• Decorating for this event

We know the modern library carries so much more than books. The Friends are helping expands those offerings through our new Community Seed Library! Our Community Seed Library provides free seeds to community members, rather they are first time planters or seasoned horticulturists. Our Seed Library email list helps connect community members to resources and wonderful Master Gardener library programing.

Our FLML volunteers make the seed library possible by:

Giving Seed Packets

Saving seeds from their home gardens to share

Volunteering their time to sort and maintain the seed library for the community.

We realize that a good idea needs a place to grow and thrive. FLML creates space and resources for new programming to happen at your Lexington Main Library. We are always on the lookout for the next thing, understanding that it may need to start small and grow— knowing it will always need volunteers to fan the flame.

Our Seed Library is a wonderful example of an idea beginning small and growing into something that will serve more people in our community. It has been years in the making. The Seed Library began as our Seed and Plant Swamp. It was a success and we look forward to the Seed Library, launching Spring of 2023, making an even bigger impact in our community.

Another example is the renovations happening on the lower level of your Lexington Main Library. Regular funding is paying to create rooms for innovation, but the Friends of the Lexington Main Library will take over once renovations are complete. We are still deciding the best way to utilize this great opportunity.

Do you have ideas for the new space? Have you wished there was a place to…X, Y, or Z? What clubs or groups need to be launched? We need your great ideas and help!

Our FLML volunteers make new initiatives possible by:

• Being a Member

• Making donations

• Sharing ideas

• Leading teams as ideas are launched