The Friends of the Hudson Area Library is an organization of dedicated volunteers that exists to strengthen the Hudson Area Library through:
- Financial support
- Advocacy
We provide significant and consistent financial support to the Library through our bookstore, online and semi-annual book sales. The Friends is involved in many advocacy projects throughout the Hudson community. We are also a social organization that fosters a connection to the Library with the aim of providing engaging volunteer opportunities to our members in support of the Library and our community.
Browse our website, become a member, and find or create a volunteer opportunity that fits your interests. The Friends is a fun and flexible group of community members that shares your interest in books, supporting the Library and connecting with our community.
If you have any questions, would like to share ideas, or need assistance, please contact us at hudsonlibraryFRIENDS@gmail.com.
Visit Our Bookstore
The Friends of the Library Bookstore is maintained entirely by dedicated volunteers and is always open during library hours.
Book bargains for all ages can be found in the bookstore located in room 215 upstairs. A large and ever-changing selection of genres includes Current & Classic Fiction, Mystery, History, Biography, Children & Young Adult, Animals & Pets, Art & Photography, Automotive & Aviation, Cooking, Sports, Gardening, and many more. We also have an extensive collection of CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, vintage and specialty books. Our low prices begin at $0.50, and most hardcovers range between $2 and $3.
You’ll often find a sale of featured genres for half price! FREE books are offered on carts in the front lobby entrance. Please help yourself.
No time to browse? Take a look at our QUICK PICKS shelf for recommended reading with a quick review. Feel free to review any of your favorites you find in the store!
Community Outreach activities are another major focal point of the Friends. Join us as we work to increase awareness of the library’s many programs and serve the literacy needs of the community. To find out more about how you can get involved, or if you have questions or ideas, please contact us at hudsonlibraryFRIENDS@gmail.com.Participate in Outreach Programs
Books in Bags for Babies

2018 Bookmark Contest Winners
- We are unable to accept donated books at this time
Book Sale in Room 219
Setting Up the Book Sale
Thank you for considering the Friends of the Hudson Library for your book donations. Your donations of gently used books, textbooks, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and current magazines are gratefully accepted and may be dropped off at the circulation desk. Receipts for your donations are available.
Most donated books are sold in the bookstore or at book sales. Some are used to expand the Library’s lending collection or to replace worn books. Those of local interest may be placed in the Nancy L. Hawkinson History Room on the second floor of the Library. The children’s reading programs also benefit from books used as prizes. Higher value books are listed for sale online at abebooks.com.
We always try to direct books to those in need within our community. If you know of a worthy recipient or group, please let us know.
Book Donation Guidelines
We are able to accept material that has been inspected by the owner, is in ‘like-new’ resalable condition, and is delivered in clean boxes/bags/totes. Materials must be donated in person at the circulation desk during library hours. Please do not leave donated material in the library book drop box or outside of the library.
Items we ACCEPT include:
- Hardcover and paperback books
- Commercially published DVD’s, CDs and Audiobooks
- Current month magazines, only
Items we DO NOT ACCEPT include:
- Musty smelling, dirty, dusty, water damaged or moldy books
- Books with torn, brittle or yellowed pages, excessively worn covers, damaged bindings, or marked with writing or highlighting
- VHS or cassette tapes
- Encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest Condensed books, or National Geographic magazines
- Textbooks or reference material older than 5 years
- Dictionaries or atlases
- Professional journals
- Become a Volunteer
There are many opportunities to volunteer and support the Library, the Friends and the Hudson community!
Some ways to get involved
- Bookstore: Help with sorting, pricing, and shelving of donated books
- Book Sales: Help with set-up, take-down, sales, and publicity
- Board Member: Assist with planning, promotion, and staging of Friends activities
- Committee Member: Help with publicity, membership, special events planning, outreach, advocacy
- Backpackers Program: Help put together monthly flyer and library schedule
- Adopt-A-Shelf: Help keep the library shelves clean and organized
- Online Sales: Look up values of donated books, enter higher value books online, take photos of books already listed for online sale
- National Night Out: Assist with spreading the word about the Friends and the Library
Don’t worry about your schedule or experience level. We can always find a way for you to help that works for you! The Friends will provide a mentor to show you the ropes and help you decide how you can best share your talents!
To find out more about how you can get involved, or if you have any questions, please contact us at hudsonlibraryFRIENDS@gmail.com .
Sorting and Pricing Book Donations
National Night Out 2018
- Lend Your Support
You can contribute to the Friends by donating your gently used books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and current magazines. Donations are tax-deductible and donation receipts are provided on the Friends donation table on the second floor and at the circulation desk.
Another great way to contribute is to save your Family Fresh grocery store receipts and drop them into the collection jar at the main circulation desk. For every $150,000 in receipts, Family Fresh generously donates $1,000 to the Hudson Area Public Library. This money is used to support the Library and its programs.
If you have questions about donations or need assistance, please contact our Bookstore Coordinator at hudsonlibraryFRIENDS@gmail.com.
Family Fresh award 2019
- Become a Member
New members are warmly welcomed! Join us at a Friends meeting to get to know our members and hear about our current and future activities as well as our goals. Friends meetings are held on most second Thursdays of each month at 5:30 pm in Conference Room 219. See the schedule of upcoming meetings and events on the calendar page.
Benefits of Membership:
- Book Sale Preview for members only
- Receive meeting minutes
- Enjoy special events/theme nights
- Support your Hudson Library
Fill out the form below to become a member.
Step 1: Submit Your Member Information
Step 2: Provide Your Membership Payment
Provide your membership payment online via PayPal.
Or make checks payable and send to:
Friends of the Hudson Library
700 First Street, Hudson, WI 54016-2506The Friends of the Hudson Area Library is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Your membership and additional amount is tax deductible.
- Meet Our Current Board of Directors
President
Joyce LawVice President
Jan StandaferSecretary
Kathy CoulterTreasurer
Gail O’ConnorMember at Large
Donna Miller
Chris Rivard
Heather LackeL to R: Chris Rivard, Gail O’Connor, Jan Standafer, Kathy Coulter, Joyce Law, Donna Miller & Heather Lacke
More About the Friends
Learn About The
Nancy L. Hawkinson History Room
Make sure to follow us on
Facebook
UPCOMING Friends of the Library EVENTS: SEE ALL »
Friends of the Library Meeting
View Details »May 13 @ 5:30 pm
Friends of the Library Meeting
View Details »July 8 @ 5:30 pm
Friends of the Library Meeting
View Details »September 9 @ 5:30 pm