Friends of the Toowoomba City Library stops operations after 24 years

After almost three decades of hard work and donating a large sum of money to benefit the entire Toowoomba community, a volunteer-run organisation has sadly shut up shop.

It’s a sad day for Toowoomba’s reading enthusiasts after the community group Friends of the Toowoomba City Library Association announced it had ceased operations.

The initiative which was founded in 1997 has raised more than $179,000 for the Toowoomba library through fundraising efforts and mainly through its popular book sale event.

Association president Margaret Taylor said the work of volunteers had benefited the whole community and all age groups over the years.

In the former Friends of the Toowoomba City Library engine room are (from left) president Margaret Taylor, treasurer Brian Wilson and secretary Doreen Lemay as the volunteer organisation cease operations after 27 years and $180K in donations, Friday, January 27, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I moved to Toowoomba in 2008 and my friend dobbed me in for the secretary position … I’ve been here ever since and ended up as president,” she said.

“It’s a lovely feeling (knowing we’ve made a difference) and knowing the books we sell have gone to a good home.”

In addition to encouraging children and younger generations to read, the club funded several events alongside the Toowoomba Regional Council and purchased equipment for the library.

With the digital age reducing interest and with dwindling books of quality available in the past year, Ms Taylor said the time had come to close up shop.

Handing over a final cheque is Friends of the Toowoomba City Library president Margaret Taylor (left) to library assistants Brandon Armatage, Bella Radke and city librarian Carmel Stuart (right) as the volunteer organisation cease operations after 27 years and $180K in donations, Friday, January 27, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A loyal following travelled from as far as Dalby, Cabarlah and Crows Nest to take advantage of the book sales at the group’s fundraising events.

“We decided we wanted to go out on a high because we have such a good reputation,” she said.

“People tried to help but if you don’t have books to sell, you don’t have a solution – it’s sad but it’s also inevitable.

“One of our members Rachel Thurbon has been attending the book sales since 2009 and she catalogued every book she purchased for herself, friends and family … in that time she bought 9400.”

Friends of the Toowoomba City Library president Margaret Taylor as the volunteer organisation cease operations after 27 years and $180K in donations, Friday, January 27, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Thanking the group’s 65 members and 28 active volunteers for their hard work over the years, Ms Taylor said the friendships made will be lifelong – especially since formulating a book club.

The association presented its final cheque to the Toowoomba City Library for $14,000.