Get Involved
The Friends of the Library meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Founded in 2002, the Friends of the Oradell Library are dedicated to supporting and improving Oradell Public Library. Through an annual membership drive and other fundraising initiatives, the Friends enable the purchase of resources that fall outside the scope of the library’s operating budget. The Friends of the Oradell Library also organize and present adult programming, manage the library’s museum pass loan program, fund children’s programs and events, and maintain the town’s historical archive collection.
Here’s how you can help the Friends of the Oradell Library carry out this essential work:
Become a Friend: Stop by one of the library desks to pick up a Friends of the Oradell Library Membership card. An annual “Family” membership costs $25, “Individual” costs $15, and “Senior Citizen” costs $10. Friends may also consider giving at a higher level and designating the funds to benefit the Youth Department, Adult Programming, or the Museum Pass Loan Program. Online donations can be made by following the link below.
Volunteer:Â The Friends of the Oradell Library meet at the library on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Please join us. There is no need to register in advance. Meetings are open to the public. New faces and ideas are always welcome.
Browse the Friends’ Used Book Sale: Next time you’re at the library, don’t forget to visit the Friends’ ongoing used book sale, located in the hallway on the ground floor. Proceeds from the sales of our bargain-priced used books and media directly benefit Oradell Public Library. You can also help by donating gently used books, CDs, and DVDs. Donations can be brought to the library’s main desk.
When price is not marked on the item, please refer to the pricing charts hung in several locations. Purchases can be made at the desk on the main level. Librarians have a price list at the desk and can accept payment on behalf of the Friends.
Support Your Local Library…Purchase a Gift That Keeps On Giving: The Friends periodically sell tote bags, notecards, cookbooks, and photographs. Learn more at the desk on the main level. If you would like to make a gift or memorial donation to the Friends of the Oradell Library, please contact Elaine Franek-Materon at tobinandco@msn.com .
Take Advantage of the Friends’ Local History Archive Services:  The Friends are proud to maintain a comprehensive local history archive located on the library’s lower level floor.  Contact Director John J. Trause at trause@oradell.bccls.org  or stop by the library’s Main Desk for more information.
The Friends’ Book Sale was born with two goals in mind: to monetize books being discharged by the Library so as to provide extra funding for projects, materials and programs, and  to provide the citizens of Oradell a cheap source of books in good condition that could amuse and / or instruct.  To augment the quantity and variety of books offered, we invite the public year-round to contribute books in good condition.  The Library provides us an area where we can store contributions and hold books for discharge.
We are lucky that the library also can provide us with a designated area with shelves where we can display our materials.  To facilitate buyer selection, we  organized our offerings by the following categories: novels, history, philosophy / religion, Women, children / young adults, table books, art / music, health, sports, science, Sci-fi, literature, animals, cooking, romance, paperbacks, DVDs, books on tapes, the rearing of children…  The date the book is placed on the shelf is lightly notated in pencil on the last page of the book to facilitate rotation.  Regularly, shelves are made orderly and books returned to their proper category area.
There are pricing charts hung in several locations to inform the buyer.  Patrons are directed to pay at the main library desk. Librarians have been informed of pricing and have a pricing list available at the desk. Again, all money raised is spent to help the library directly.
We have offered limited outdoor book sale during the Oradell Family Day Celebration.
Library Champions are patrons who love the library and want to hear about issues that may affect them. When important library issues arise, Library Champions are notified so they can then take appropriate action such as phone calls, emails to legislators, or simply talking up the library to their neighbors. Sign up below.
This group of dedicated volunteers meets quarterly and raises money for special collections and capital projects for the Library’s strategic planning. They also work with the Library Board of Trustees and Director of the Library to meet many of the needs of the Library not possible in the Library’s limited operating budget.
The Oradell Public Library Foundation welcomes tax-deductible donations to help sustain and expand the Library’s special collections, staff education, projects, services, and special events.  If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation to the Oradell Public Library Foundation, please contact Library Director John J. Trause:  trause@oradell.bccls.org .
These are some of the projects that the Oradell Public Library Foundation has funded:
- The flat screen TV and Blu-Ray player for the meeting room
- The re-lighting project on all three floors of the Library
- Panic buttons for the security on all three floors
- Â Re-upholstery and new shelving / storage projects for the Junior Room
- Computer equipment upgrades and enhancements (e. g. mobile-friendly scanners at circulation desks, wireless system)
- Easy English News subscription for ESL program
- E-Readers (Nooks, etc.) that can be borrowed for use by the public
- Special collections for adult and children in local history and materials on American history and culture
- Great Courses adult learning sets
- A complete set of Newbery, Caldecott, and other award-winning children’s books
- Makerspace technology items
- Grants for staff training and on-going education
- Sponsorship of the School of Fish fundraiser
- Additional shelving, storage facilities, and furniture for the Junior Room
