'Friends' donate $10K to library

The $10,000 donation to the Aiken County Public Library by its "Friends" would be welcome under any circumstances.

In a year in which state budget cuts led to a $93,000 loss in revenue, the contribution is even more important, said Mary Jo Dawson, director of the Aiken-Bamberg-Barnwell-Edgefield Regional Library System.

The Friends of the Aiken County Library's Board of Directors presented the contribution Tuesday.

"It's wonderful to have friends in good times," Dawson said. "It's vital to have friends when we're going through this difficult funding period. They're helping us provide core library services through their generous fundraising."

The Friends' board has contributed funds in the past that have provided DVDs, a wireless network and book purchases, said board President Dick Dewar. The board also has provided $50,000 to an endowment fund and, earlier this year, made its annual donation of $3,000 for the library's summer reading program, said Treasurer Bob Horne.

The new contribution, Dawson said, will provide funds for collection development, program expenses, humanities programming, new shelving and participation in a reading program sponsored by the City of Aiken.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.