By Marcella Peyre-Ferry
The Friends of the Moores Memorial Library recently presented their first Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award to Chelsey Moore.
The presentation and party, held during the June 21 Friends meeting, were a surprise that stunned Moore almost to tears. “I didn’t know this was happening,” she said. “I’m so thankful for (the Friends). It’s mind-boggling how much these people care for not only me, but for their community.”
A recent graduate of Octorara Area High School, Moore has been working steadily as a volunteer at the Read Moore Book Store every Tuesday evening since it opened in 2013. The bookstore, located on the lower floor of the library building, is currently open on Mondays through Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m., with additional Tuesday hours from 4 to 7 p.m.
“I’ve always loved the library and coming here, and I just wanted to become a part of the family that is here. I’m so glad I did,” Moore said.
Members of the Friends group spend countless volunteer hours in support of the library, located in Christiana. The group also helps the library by fundraising throughout the year, plus the volunteers help with programs and staff the book store.
Moore will leave the bookstore in July to prepare for college. She will attend Rosemont College in the fall, where she will work on a double major in secondary education with a concentration in history and in archaeology with a minor in ancient Egyptian studies.
Moore expects to continue her involvement with the library. “Even though I won’t be here, I’ll still support the library as much as I can and, when I come home, I will definitely visit,” she said.
In addition to volunteering at the library, Moore is a junior firefighter with the Christiana Fire Company and she races cars with her father.
The Friends of the Library meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Currently, there are about 17 members, but the group is always open to new members. Anyone interested in joining the organization may do so at the library. Members do not have to be residents of Christiana Borough, but must live in the surrounding area.
“It’s a good community activity,” Friends president Jeannette Kolb said. “We always welcome more members. Our main goal is to fund the library so (patrons) can have different activities.”
Library director Trish Vandenbosch appreciates all the work the Friends do. “They raise money, they run the bookstore downstairs that brings us revenues (and) they’re essential to the library,” she said.
The next big fundraiser for the Friends of the Library will be the annual golf tournament set for Monday, Sept. 12. The group will also participate in the Christiana Community Yard Sale on Saturday, Aug. 27.