Photo courtesy of JUNIATA COUNTY LIBRARY Members of the Friends of the Juniata County Library work in the book cellar, including Nancy Ramgatie, Cindy Lucas, Marilyn Macoy and Barb Gilson.

MIFFLINTOWN — There’s an old adage, “you can never have enough friends,” and that is especially true when it comes to the Friends of the Juniata County Library in Mifflintown.

The sentiment is that having a large number of friends can enhance your life in various ways. The Friends of the Juniata County Library is a group of concerned citizens who recognize the importance of libraries and literacies.

They are committed to library advocacy and support of the library’s programs and service through fundraising.

“Through membership dues, fundraising activities and donations, the group purchases equipment and helps pay for library expenses and programs that will not be covered in the budget,” said Friends of the Juniata County Library Publicity Chairperson Virginia Haubert.

“This year, the Friends renewed the Hotspots contract for the library to rent to patrons, bought a new computer and donated $4,000 for book purchases,” Haubert added. “You can help the library by becoming a member of the Friends.”

October marks the beginning of the Friends’ 2026 membership drive. To kick this off and to commemorate Friends of the Library Week, the Friends have planned a meet and greet for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the library.

This will be a great opportunity to meet some friends, to learn more about their fundraising and to become involved in their efforts to save the library.

“Drop in, have some coffee and sweets, listen to the music of guitarist Tom Yoder, meet local author Wayne Taylor and become a member or renew your membership,” Haubert said. “Bring the kids for the pumpkin painting.”

Friends’ membership fees for 2026 are $10 for students and seniors; $15 for individuals; $25 for families and $200 for individual lifetime memberships.

While memberships can be purchased at any time throughout the year, they are based on the calendar year. Any new member who joins during October, November or December 2025 will be automatically enrolled as a 2026 member.

Current memberships expire on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, so Haubert and other Friends’ officials encourage members to please renew early.

Haubert said member benefits include monthly newsletters and preview attendance at book sales.

In 2025, there were 160 members and 37 life members. “The Friends would love to double that number,” she said. “Please join the Friends and help them help the Juniata County Library.”

Membership forms are available at the library or on the library’s website, www.juniatalibrary.org.