What Your Funding Supports
Your contribution goes toward library programs and services, kids activities, projects that improve community and library spaces, free events and more!
Continued support enables The Friends of the Mathew Library to fund the programs and services that make the Library the true heart of our Mathews Community by promoting and sponsoring programs, purchasing needed equipment, and fulfilling the other requests of the Library Director and the staff.
While county and state funding provide for the operation and staffing of our Library, we, the Friends, seek to assist by funding special needs which otherwise might not be provided.
Your gift will promote education and benefit all of our citizens, young and old.
Children's & Youth Programs
Summer Programs for Children
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Annual dictionary program for children
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Sponsorship of high school students on Virginia Museum of Fine Arts bus trips
Book Distribution
We work with the Mathews Library Staff and the Mathews School System in making gifts of books:
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Book distribution to each of the fourth graders at Lee-Jackson Elementary School upon promotion to the fifth grade
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Grades K-4 at Lee-Jackson Elementary School will each be given a set of level readers for use in that grade
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Distribution of free books to community businesses such as dentists offices, EXAMPLE, EXAMPLE, to increase access to books within the community
Free concerts
Free concerts at the library are a staple on the Mathews summer social calendar.
Local and regional artists play jazz, gospel, blues, swing, and more.
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Capital Expansion & Building Updates
Past capital expansions have seen the Friends be a leader in fundraising.
Funding for the renovations of the restrooms in the John Warren Cooke Conference Center.
To enhance the Library Courtyard: funding for the purchase and installation of the water fountain in the Library Courtyard as well as adding other planters.
Historically, we aided in the capital expansion of the library, assumed full responsibility for the planning, fund-raising, and construction of the H. Bland Hudgins Wing which opened in Spring, 2014.
Author Talks
Each year the Mathews Memorial Library presents several opportunities for the Mathews community to meet authors and hear them talk about their books.
Recent speakers have included Chris Semtner, author of Edgar Allan Poe’s Richmond; David Taylor, author of The War of 1812 and the Rise of the U.S. Navy; and David Robbins, author of Scorched Earth.
The Highland Games
A perennial favorite of adults and children alike, this library-sponsored event brings Scottish games to Mathews County.