Projects

What Friends Do

The primary purpose of the Friends organization is to make sure that anyone who needs the services of the Library has access to those services. Therefore, we reach out to communities across the state to let people know that when they lose their sight or functional use of their hands, they don’t have to stop reading. In fact, individuals may find that their interests have expanded, and they are more interested in reading than ever. The Friends are readers, and we love to share our enthusiasm for the printed word.

One population of readers Friends emphasizes is children and parents of visually impaired children. Due to the efforts of the NCABLS and the Friends, children with visual impairments don’t have to skip a beat and can excel in their schoolwork and learn to love reading as much as others do.

The Friends accept donations earmarked for specific projects or for the general fund to be used as dictated in the annual budget, voted on by the Board of Directors.  

You’ll find an endless supply of volunteer opportunities through the Friends as well. Please visit this page often for updates to projects provided by the Friends.





Ongoing Projects

 

• Purchase large print books for lending through the Library collection.

• Purchase Braille books for lending through the Library collection.

• Provide volunteers and pay for entire production of local and regional books and magazines. The Library produce multiple local books and magazines annually.

• Purchase movies on DVD and VHS. The movies can be sent through “free matter for the blind” postal service.

• Presentations to community groups by the board members by request. Presentations at Division of Services for the Blind rehabilitation mini-centers for the recently blind to give them information about the services provided by the Library.

• Honor requests from the Library staff to purchase equipment/software/supplies and record other materials for the Library collection.

• Advocate for the Library's programs and services. 

• Maintain an active website where patrons and supporters can make contributions, become members and learn more about the Library and the Friends.

• Represent the Library on various committees and groups that serve the blind 

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Annual Projects

• Recognize Library volunteers at the annual Friends’ Volunteer Recognition Event. The Friends pay for renting the facility, providing a catered meal for the guests and honoring special recipients with awards and plaques.

• Provide outreach and public relations support by purchasing and staffing vendor tables at conventions and conferences attended by blind citizens. Purchase and hand out specialty items imprinted with the Friends’ logo and contact information. Regular events include:

  • Lions’ Club Fishing Tournament

  • North Carolina Conference on Visual Impairment and Blindness

  • National Federation of the Blind State Convention

  • NC Council of the Blind State Convention

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Special Projects

• "Heard Any Good Books Lately?" produced by NC Radio Reading Service.

• A 30-minute presentation about the NCABLS distributed through reading services for the blind across the state.