To all Current, Past and Future Members of the Friends of the Rockport Library:

The time to renew your membership to the Friends of Rockport Public Library is here. Our membership year runs from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 for individuals, families and patrons. The Friends is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to support our library and supplement its budget. With our annual July book sale, membership fees, and donations we have been able to raise a significant amount of money to contribute to the operation of the library. Last year we donated over $13,000 for the children's programs, for large print books, and to cover a month of Interlibrary loans.

Being a Friend is a wonderful way to show your support, and you also gain certain benefits. During our July book sale Thursday night is designated a "members only " sale, so Friends get to look over the books first. In addition, Friends receive the biennial Newsletter, either via email or the post office, so they stay informed on all the programs and issues happening at our library. Probably the best reason of all to be a Friend is you actively support the work of our librarians and volunteers.

The fee to become a Friend is modest: $10 for an Individual and $15 for a Family. Of course, many Friends include additional donations, which are always gratefully received. Simply print and complete the membership form and send a check to:

Friends of Rockport Public Library 

This year the Friends board is hoping to increase the number of members. Won't you help us by not only renewing your own membership, but also by inviting a friend, family member or neighbor to join? Be sure to let us know if you would be interested in volunteering or if you want to donate books for the sale. Many thanks to our loyal supporters!

With best wishes,

The Board of the Friends of Rockport Public Library

Thursday

Jul 11, 2013  

Friday

July 12, 2013

Saturday

July 13, 2013

8:30-12:00

12:00-1:00 closed

1:00-3:00 Box sale

Open to the general public.

Box sale- $5.00 per box

Sunday

July 14, 2013

Legislation impacting Friends organizations.

On Monday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m. at the State House, Room 127, the
Legislature's Taxation committee will hold a hearing on LD 915, "An Act To
Expand the Sales Tax Exemption for Certain Public Libraries To Include
Sales by Those Libraries or Their Supporting Organizations."

Orono Rep. Ryan Tipping-Spitz introduced this bill at the request of the Friends of
the Orono Public Library.  Like many libraries in the state, we had held an
annual book and bake sale for many years.  When we built some permanent
shelves and switched to an on-going sale format, we wrote to Maine Revenue
Services to confirm that these sales would be tax-exempt.  To our horror,
we discovered that according to the letter of the law, even though we were
a registered 501(c)(3) charity, we should have bought a vendor's license
and paid tax on sales all along.  Since we're an all-volunteer organization
with a very part-time treasurer and since the money we make from sales is--
though indispensable to library functioning-- not large, we thought this
was crazy.
   

If you agree with us, I hope you will let members of the Taxation
Committee know.  You can find a list of members here:
http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/tax.htm

The text of LD 915 is here:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_126th/billtexts/HP063901.asp

If your library is in the Augusta area and could send a member of your
Friends group to the hearing, that would be especially helpful.  We have
had discussions of the sales tax issue on MELIBS over the years, so I know
this is an issue for many libraries around the state.  LD 915 is our chance
to find a permanent solution for a common problem.

I take the liberty of thanking you in advance for any support you can
provide,

Lisa Feldman
Friends of the Orono Public Library (FOPL)
&
Nottage Library, Bangor Campus
University of Maine at Augusta

Dear Friends of Rockport Public Library,

While our annual book sale is the major source of funds for us to support the library, our members are very important to us as they create a group of supporters for our efforts. If you see June(12) on the mailing label then you are a current paid-up member for another month. Please consider renewing early, and remember you will need to renew to get into the members-only presale evening at the book sale.

Also, please take the trouble to recommend membership to a friend. This would be a good way for us to expand the membership.If Sept (10) or June(11) appears on the mailing label, please renew using the form and save time by enclosing twice the amount to become a member thru June 30, 2013.

We would like to thank our Founder Business Members. Please try to give them your business!

Tillman Crane Photography, Phi Home Designs, Rockport Mechanical, Green Thumb Nursery, and Rockport Family Chiropractic.

David Barry
Treasurer

Champion Total Health

Dr. James Buckley

412 Commercial St, Rockport, ME 04856
(207) 236-8486

Please enroll me as a member of Friends of Rockport Public Library

For the year ending June 30, 2013 (dues and donations are tax deductible)

___ Individual ($10) ___ Family ($15) ___ Patron/Business ($50) ___ Other
__ New member __ Renewal __ Gift Certificate

Additional donation $ for ongoing expenses __ for the Future Fund __

Please print clearly:

Name: ______________________ Email: _____________________

Street/PO Box: _____________________
Winter Mailing Address (from to ): _____________________
Town: _____________ State: _____ Zip: __________ Telephone: __________

Summer Mailing Address (from to ): ______________________

Street/PO Box: ____________________
Town: _____________State: _____ Zip: __________ Telephone: _______________

Preference for Newsletter: Pick Up at Library ___ E-mail & read online ___
Mail: Both addresses ___ Summer address only ___ Winter address only ___