Annual Millbrook Library Event Brings Community Together
By Sam Falk, Friends of Millbrook Library
It is once again the time of year where festive celebrations and charitable events highlight the community spirit that makes the village of Millbrook a special place. For the past 13 years one such event has been the holiday silent auction held at Millbrook Library. More than just a fundraiser for the library and a great opportunity to find holiday gifts, the auction serves to put a spotlight on the local businesses that donate their goods, and to entice community members who may not be regular patrons to see the wonders that their local library has to offer.
In 2017 the Friends of Millbrook Library took over the auction planning that had previously been done by the library’s board of trustees and the Friends decided that they wanted to expand the auction to also include opening and closing celebrations. Having the opening reception at the library on the same night as the village’s Festival of Lights parade proved to be a huge success and will be repeated this year on November 30. After the parade it was a heartwarming sight to see families aglow with holiday spirit streaming into the library to peruse the auction items and partake in refreshments. More than just a building with shelves of books, Millbrook Library is a place that brings community members together.
Last year over 60 local businesses, plus many individuals, contributed items to be auctioned off for the benefit of the library. Donors’ generosity, combined with that of the people who bid on the auction items, enabled the Friends of Millbrook Library to raise over $7000 for their beloved institution. The results of this effort can be seen in the new chairs that were installed in the library’s Flagler room in September.
Items for the 2018 auction are still being collected, but the Friends aim to have a wide variety available to appeal to all tastes and budgets. So far, some of the higher-end items that will be up for bid include a marled yarn scarf from Alicia Adams Alpaca, a tour and tasting at Millbrook Winery, fencing lessons from Bob Nilsen, and limited edition prints from Mike Spross. There will also be a table of children’s toys and many gift certificates to area businesses that will go to the highest bidders.
The 13th Annual Millbrook Library Holiday Silent Auction will run from December 1 to 15 in the library’s upstairs gallery, following an opening reception that will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on November 30. The auction’s closing celebration will be held at the library from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on December 15, with final bids accepted no later than 4 p.m. that day. These events are free and open to all. For more information, or to donate an auction item, contact Friends of Millbrook Library at friends@millbrooklibrary.org.
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