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ABOUT US
Our Mission: Through volunteers, outreach and funding, we partner with the Hershey Public Library and Derry Township to enrich our community and foster discovery.
Our Vision: To ensure our community has vibrant opportunities to engage in lifelong curiosity, creativity, and learning.
Who We Are
The Friends of the Hershey Public Library was founded in 1963 by a small group of dedicated supporters of the Library. Since then Friends, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, has grown to a vital and active organization and provides support and funding for many Library programs and activities.
Friends raises funds primarily through Membership and the annual Book Sale. These funds are used to support the following programs and activities at the Library:
Adult Programs
Adult Reading Groups
Guest Author Visit
Children’s Series Programs
Children’s Summer Reading Programs
Teen Summer Reading Programs
Special Library Collections
Preview night for members of Friends of the Hershey Public Library, Friday, July 31 from 6pm - 8pm Become a member here! Saturday, August 1 from 10am - 5pm Sunday, August 2 from 1-5pm Monday, August 3 from 10am - 5pm, all items 50% off Tuesday, August 4 from 10am - 7pm, $5 per bag or box, 50% off specially priced items The 43th annual book sale was held in 2025 and raised an amazing $47,074. The Friends group owes a debt of gratitude to the staff of Hershey Public Library for their support, and to the many Friends volunteers who ran the book sale, without whom the event would not have been the success that it was. Thank you to the Federated Women's Club of Hershey for providing a bake sale, and to the Derry Township School District Hershey High School football team who assisted in the book sale set-up by bringing up dozens of boxes of books from the library's basement. Funds raised support programming and services that the Library promotes throughout the year. About the book sale: The Friends of the Hershey Public Library have been conducting an annual book sale since 1981 with 1 interruption during the height of COVID. The Friends Annual Book Sale provides a significant source of funding for Friends activities and programs. These funds are used entirely to support the Hershey Public Library. Used book donations are accepted at the Library through the end of June of each year. These books are then sorted weekly for quality and by category and boxed by a dedicated group of volunteers. FRIENDS PREVIEW NIGHT (MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO TO PURCHASE BOOKS BEFORE THE SALE OPENS TO THE PUBLIC.) The annual book sale typically takes place during the first weekend of August. |
Programs
Children's and Teen Programs
Adult Programs
Registration is needed for most adult programs sponsored by Friends. Register online on the library's website Event Calendar, or call (717) 533-6555.
Library on Wheels
Bring The Library To Your Door
Volunteers deliver books, audiobooks, and other materials to residents of Derry Township who are homebound or would find it physically difficult to come to the library. A library card can be easily obtained without leaving your home! For more information, or to sign up to receive Library on Wheels, please call the library’s Public Services desk at 717-533-6555.
Little Free Library
Take a Book, Bring a Book
Little Free Library is located at the Bullfrog Valley Pond; at the corner of Wood Rd and Bullfrog Valley Rd, Hummelstown. What is a Little Free Library and how does it work? A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange where people share their favorite books with their community. You don't have to return the exact same book but one that is in equally good condition to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the whole neighborhood.