Meet Our Best Friends: Mason Branch

We’re spending the week of Oct. 15-21 celebrating our Friends of the Library groups as part of the 18th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week. We’ll feature different Friend groups throughout the week, learning what they’re up to and their important role in the library’s success.

We’re featuring the Friends of the Mason Library to kick off the celebration! We spoke with Friends of the Mason Library President Heather Badder, who joined the group as its treasurer in 2016. Joining the Friends was the perfect calculation, considering she loves the library, books and volunteering and she’s a Certified Personal Accountant.

During Badder’s time as a member, the Friends mission has never faltered: support CADL Mason. The Friends are currently supporting the library in a huge way while it undergoes a historic renovation project. She says the group is hosting book sales, moving inventory and keeping the bookstore open when construction allows. The Friends are also meeting weekly at Bestseller’s Bookstore to stay in touch and discuss fundraising efforts to assist the library throughout the renovation.  

In addition to supporting the library, Badder says the Friends are committed to being a good community partner by supporting local organizations. This includes purchasing ads in the Mason High School performing arts program’s publications and sponsoring the Mason Rotary Club Golf outing. The Friends are also a Mason Chamber of Commerce member.

One of Badder’s favorite memories with the Friends includes partnering with the Mason Fire Department to host a book sale during their pancake breakfast at the annual Spring Fling Courthouse Show. 

“This is a great example of what the Friends do,” said Badder. “We connect with other groups serving the community, combine resources, provide each other support and host fun events for the community!”

“We could not accomplish all we do at CADL Mason without the support of our Friends. Their work includes operating the used bookstore on the library’s second floor, which brings in new visitors to the library and our downtown businesses all year round,” said CADL Mason Head Librarian Heather Goupil. “I’m also so impressed with and grateful for their thoughtful staff recognition projects. And they make a huge impact on literacy by purchasing thousands of new books which we distribute at community events. Thank you, Friends, for all you do!”

So, why become a Friend? Here’s what Badder had to say: “You should join a Friends group to be social, support the library and meet others in the community.”

Ready to become a member?
Visit www.cadl.org/friends to learn more about our Friend groups and how you can get involved. Keep up with the Friends of the Mason Library by following their Facebook page.