ESCANABA — National Friends of Libraries Week promotes groups who support libraries across the country.

Focusing on the third week in October each year, the observance provides the opportunity for groups to increase awareness about membership opportunities, their goals, projects and more.

The Friends of the Escanaba Public Library is celebrating this week by promoting what they do to support and enhance the Escanaba library.

With a board of 13, the Friends acquire their funds through membership, donations and bequests, the group states in a news release. These funds are used to provide the library with features not otherwise available in their normal operating budget.

The Friends would like to promote “Our Library of Things.” The library is not just books and media any longer. A few of the other projects they support include –

— Live on the Lawn music series;

— Bookmobile and Mobile Outreach;

— Children’s Summer Reading Program;

— Escanaba High School Student Book Club;

— Author talks;

— Special events for all ages;

— Book purchases;

— Ancestry subscription;

— Mango languages;

— Storywalk and garden;

— Annual ice cream social;

— Local newspaper digitization.

Also available to check out with an Escanaba library card: Fishing poles, a telescope, shaped baking pans and much more.

All week, the Friends will be in the library encouraging people to join them and become part of the projects they support that help the library. Every membership this week comes with a special Sayklly’s chocolate bar as a thank you for joining.

Membership information can be obtained by visiting the library, 400 Ludington St. in Escanaba. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; the library is closed on Sundays.

The Friends also have a “Ways to Give” brochure with options for donations.

As supporters of the Library, donors can become a Good Friend for $10, a Family Friend for $25, Best Friend for $50 and True Blue Friend for $100. Any size donation is welcome.