By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The Friends of the Columbiana Public Library has planned a series of events to benefit the library and patrons: A fall Book and Bake Sale with quilt raffle fundraiser and monthly children’s programs September 2015 through May 2016.

The active group supports the library and meets the third Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. in the library meeting room.

Membership is active or inactive, $5 minimum donation. New members are greatly wanted and needed!

FOCPL member and talented quilter Sarah Atchison recently quilted two Alabama and two Auburn quilts to be raffled off for fundraisers at the library and Shelby County Arts Council.

Library chances are: One for $2; three for $5 and seven for $10.

Tickets can be purchased at the Columbiana library, Davis Drugs or Friends members.

The drawing for the Alabama and Auburn quilts will be Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. during the Library Fall Book and Bake Sale.

You do not have to be present to win. The FOCPL will have a Book and Bake Sale to benefit the library from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 and from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 6.

The much-needed funds raised will go to programs, buying books and technical needs.

The Friends will once again give monthly children’s programs, ages 5-10 with story, craft and refreshment.

Themes, dates and times are: Constitution Day with ASDAR David Lindsay Chapter, Sept. 17; Halloween, Oct. 15; Thanksgiving, Nov. 19; Christmas, Dec. 17; Valentine, Feb. 4, 2016; St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2016; Miss Shelby County Princess Party, April 21, 2016; and Superhero party, May 19, 2016.

All programs are from 4-5 p.m.

Librarian Tom Rary has been doing a great job with numbers up.

Friends officers are: President Phoebe Robinson, Vice President Peggy Wood, Secretary Barbara Robinson, Treasurer Linda Major, Historian Sarah Atchison and Parliamentarian Beverly Hall. 2015-2016 paid members are: Laurie Edwards, Janice Falkner, Phyllis French, Faryn Fryer, Ann Head, Peg Hill, Karen Jensen, Judy Jones, Dolores Jones, Olivia Kalin, Gerie Kelley, Carolyn Knowles, Ouida Mayfield, Carolyn Mundy, Jennie Owes, Bobby Joe Seales, Jan Smith, Beth Strickland, Anne Thomas and Jerry Trummell.