Handmade mini quilts, above, inspired by favorite children’s books are displayed throughout Rike Memorial Library. Quilters also created two  full-size quilts, right, inspired by “Harry Potter” and “The Secret Garden.”  Allison LaBrot/The Farmersville Times

A newly-formed Friends of the Library group is using its skills to encourage donations to Rike Memorial Library. Members of the Farmersville Quilt Guild and other individuals donated more than 20 handmade 18-inch square quilts and two full size quilts that are currently on display at the library. The intent is for these quilts to soon be in the hands of generous community members. 

Carly Tassan, founding member of the Friends of the Library, said the quilts are “incentives” for buying books from the library’s wish list. 

“The donation amount for the small lap quilts is three books, and the donation amount for the large quilts is five books,” Becky Johnston, librarian, said. 

The link to the book wish list can be found on the Rike Memorial Library Facebook page along with a preview of some of the available quilts. A QR code to the site can also be found at the library. After purchasing three or five books, donors can visit the library to choose a quilt while supplies last. Each quilt features a design related to a book. “Winnie-the-Pooh,” “The Pout-Pout Fish” and “Fox in Socks” are among the familiar characters found on the donated quilts. Tassan said she has more quilts in progress to add to the collection. 

The idea for the project began with the quilt guild. 

“I thought it would be fun for our guild to create mini quilts and use our favorite books as inspiration,” Elizabeth Andrus, programs chair for the quilt guild, said. 

A few of the guild members formed a Friends of the Library group June 1 to handle the fundraising portion of the project. The Friends of the Library have also started a Grandma’s Little Readers storytime taking place at 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Volunteers read a book to the children in attendance before doing a themed activity or craft. Tassan said that the storytime offers the unique opportunity to make noise in the library. 

“The first week the kids did look at me and say, ‘Oh, Miss Carly, we can’t do that.’ I said, ‘No, no, no, I have permission,’” she said. 

The group is also ready to assist when Johnston needs volunteers, and they plan to start a reading club for seniors. Community members of all ages are welcome to join the Friends by signing up at the library. 

In addition to the Facebook page, information about the library can be found at farmersvilletx.com/library or by calling 972-782-6681. 

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By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]