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Perks of Being a Friend

It pays to become a Friend of the Library. Supporting literacy in Memphis and local communities are only part of joining and volunteering with Friends. The list of membership benefits keeps growing.

Similar to Memphis Public Library employees, Friends members enjoy free access to the City of Memphis Credit Union, offering numerous banking options like a free checking account, savings account, loans and other services.

Checking accounts come with several great incentives also, like free mobile and online banking, free bill payment services, direct deposit, and a MasterCard debit card with unlimited point-of-sale usage. With 30,000 ATMs nationwide, accessing money while on vacation or business trips will be a breeze. Plus, there are no monthly service fees and no minimum balance required.

Saving for a rainy day is much easier for Friends members, who can take advantage of no service charges or minimum withdrawal amounts. Getting started is quick and affordable, with just $5 to open a savings account.

Friends interested in purchasing a vehicle, starting a business or buying a home will have access to auto loans, personal loans, mortgage and home equity loans, and a VISA credit card with no annual fee and a fixed rate. Friends members needing help to pay down debt will benefit from the Credit Union’s debt consolidation loans and more.

Joining Friends is easy and affordable! Simply click here to start. With yearly memberships as low as $10 a year, the time to become a Friend is now!

For more information about Friends or how we impact Memphis one book at a time, call 901-415-2840.

Entering the doors of Cornelia Crenshaw Branch Library (531 Vance Ave.) might feel like home. A warm welcome from staff members and overall family feel has made this small but impactful library a main attraction in South Memphis for generations. Named after Civil Rights activist and trailblazer Cornelia Crenshaw and only blocks away from the local headquarters of the NAACP, this historic haven is rich with culture, Southern hospitality and a love for learning. This can be seen by the DiscoverREAD Learning Center for kids and parents that encourages family time and educational play; the rows of computers for public use; creative and fun library displays about current events or upcoming holidays; and shelves of books on a near-endless variety of topics.

“Every day, we try to make a difference in Memphis, one customer at a time, one interaction at a time,” said Branch Manager Inger Upchurch. “There’s nothing more rewarding than to see smiles on customers’ faces after they’ve polished their resumes or attended a library program or holiday party. We identify our customers’ needs and work to supply that. But, working with the kids is the best! Making a difference for them is certainly a long-standing passion of mine.”

But one thing Cornelia Crenshaw Library doesn’t have is Friends. This literary force in South Memphis needs a driver, and we hope that person to start a Friends organization to raise funds and support programs, events, and other needs at Cornelia Crenshaw Library is you!

“Everyone could use a ‘Friend,’” Upchurch continued, “and by becoming our Friend, you will make many more friends than you could ever imagine!”

For more information on how to start a Friends group at Cornelia Crenshaw Library, call 901-415-2840.

The near-endless selection of your favorite books and other items is coming to the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Ave.) for the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale. Mark your family’s calendar for 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25, 2019.

“Our book sales are not like watching paint dry,” noted Friends of the Library President Jacqueline Wallace. “They are full of excitement, fun activities, and an amazing selection of books and other items.”

Kids will enjoy face painting, food trucks and free popcorn, while parents shop from a variety of DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, specialty books, sheet music and more – all for $2 or less!

“You cannot beat the prices! You really can’t, because if you look on the inside of some these, they are $28 books and they look new. Now that I’m here, I want to get every book that I can. We’re glad we came,” said a few book sale shoppers at last year’s record-breaking spring sale.

A complete price list is below.

Saturday shoppers will also meet Rockey the Redbird and take selfie, while promoting literacy in Memphis.

“Literacy is the most basic currency of the knowledge economy. We want everyone in our community to be rich in knowledge. Our book sales help to lead with literacy because you’re never too old to enjoy a good book,” Wallace concluded.

For more information about Memphis Library Friends or the upcoming book sale, call 901-415-2840