About the Friends of RHPL
The Friends of the Library is an organization that is dedicated to building a close relationship between the library and its patrons. We achieve our goals primarily through membership dues and fund raising.
Among the purposes of the organization are the following:
- Promote knowledge of and informed interest in the library’s functions, resources, services and needs.
- Encourage community participation in library activities.
- Raise funds for projects, activities or acquisitions in excess of those provided for by the general library budget at the discretion of the Friends Board of Directors.
- Provide support for programs for the extension and improvement of library services and resources.
We achieve our goals primarily through membership dues and fundraising.
Wine, Wit & Wisdom 2023
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
The Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library invite you to an evening of entertaining and informative speakers, beverages and food, as well as a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Because alcohol will be served, guests must be 21 or older.
Registration: March 1st - April 17th
Tickets: $80 per person, raises to $90 after April 17th
Tickets can be purchased here.
Or print out the paper registration form and bring it to the front desk at the library.
Your tickets will be sent to the email listed when registering
Each guest will have the opportunity to:
- Attend two 45-minute presentations by informative speakers.
- Enjoy a buffet dinner and beverages (wine, beer, soft drinks).
- Bid on an array of silent auction items, and enter to win a 50/50 raffle prize.
50/50 Raffle Tickets: 1 for $10, 3 for $20, cash only, must be present to win.
Suggested attire: Smart Casual
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Presentation Information
PRESENTATION 1: Car Design: From Sketch to Reality
Darby Barber, a Rochester resident and General Motors car designer, who dabbles in auto racing, will speak on “From Sketch to Reality: Car Design in Production and Racing.” Expect insights on how car design impacts aesthetics and function in production and race cars. Rev up your engines and let’s ride.
PRESENTATION 2: Home Vintner: How to Make Your Own Wine
Michael Gerstenlauer, a Rochester resident, is the grandson of a New York bootlegger, and son of a Detroit brewer (Atles/National Bohemian), and so comes to home fermenting through his DNA. In his talk, he will share why and why not to take up home winemaking. He’ll discuss equipment needs, where to get the raw materials, and what to expect when you’re finished. So, pour yourself a glass, and enjoy the process.
PRESENTATION 3: Never Stop Growing: In Pursuit of Low Maintenance Gardening all the Years of our Lives
Janet Macunovich provides a look at what you can do to reduce the work you do in your yard and how to keep it up even as your physical abilities change. Although no maintenance gardens do not exist, there are low maintenance gardens and yards and approaches that reduce work by making tasks simpler or physically easier. You can save much time and effort with design modifications, variations in tools and timing and more. These tips come to you from a 40-year professional gardener and writer with lots of input from those with even more seniority.
Presentation 4: The Dockporter: Life on Mackinac Island
Jim Bolone and Dave McVeigh, co-authors of The Dockporter: A Mackinac Island Novel, share their experiences as former dockporters and discuss their book, set on Mackinac Island. The Dockporter is an offbeat, nostalgic coming-of age-story that appeals to anyone who ever had a summer job. It's a novel about friends, family, love, luggage, and the summers we never forget. So, kick back, pour yourself something cold, and take a summer vacation, even if it's just in your mind.
PRESENTATION 5: A Walk Across Michigan: Oscoda to Empire
Will Swartz, author, librarian, teacher, and administrator, takes you on a virtual hike across one of Michigan’s hidden hiking trails, the Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail. Experience the adventure, thrills, romance, horrors, and mystery along the trail without the bugs, bad weather, campfire smoke, and hard work of hiking 232 miles from Oscoda to Empire—from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. Lace up your boots and let’s hike!
PRESENTATION 6: Selfridge Air Force Base: at the Beginning of American Military Aviation
Steven Mrozek, the Executive Director of the Selfridge Military Air Museum will discuss the origins of powered flight and particularly military aviation. Steve has an extensive career working with historical museums and he has visited many famous and obscure battlefields within the United States and overseas. On this trip through time, you’ll see history flash before your eyes.
Friends Spring Used Book Sale
The Friends of the RHPL will hold their Spring Used Book Sale on April 19th - April 23rd.
Member’s only Pre-Sale (memberships sold at the door)
Wednesday, April 19 - 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
General Sale:
Thursday, April 20 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, April 21 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, April 22 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
$5 for a Bag Day:
Sunday, April 23 – 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
The sale will be in the upstairs book sale room with some overflow in the
downstairs hallway. Besides a huge selection of great books, we will be selling DVDs, CDs, games and puzzles.
All proceeds benefit our library.
Any questions, call (248) 650-7178
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Join the Friends of Rochester Hills Public Library
Why Join The Friends
Membership in the Friends is open to any person or organization interested in the purposes the Friends have established. Through payment of membership dues, you help the Friends achieve many of our goals. Beyond that though, what’s in it for you?
Friends members are eligible to attend the Friends Preview night of all Used Book Sales, having the opportunity to get first choice at the prime books.
Friends members receive a 10% discount on all purchases at the Friends Library Store.
Friends members receive the twice yearly newsletter filled with news about the activities of the organization and offering a coupon for additional savings at the Friends Library Store.
Friends members help make possible the FREE programs that make the RHPL such a tremendous asset to our community.What's Involved in Being a Friend?
You don’t have to do anything once you’ve paid your dues. You can sit back and enjoy the benefits. But if you’d like to feel that you’re contributing more to your library and your community, there are a number of ways in which you can do that.
Everything the Friends does is done by volunteers. The Friends Used Book Sales are run and coordinated by a hard-working, dedicated and fun-loving group of people who have made our Used Book Sales the envy of libraries far and wide. You can help, and we’d love to have you join us.
The Friends Library Store is managed and staffed entirely by volunteers who know the importance of unique, high-quality items and personal, friendly customer service. You can help, and we’d love to have you join us.
What about the annual Friends Holiday Home Tour (formerly the Holly Walk)? 100% volunteer organized and run for 15 years by people who take time out of their busy pre-holiday schedules to bring the community one of its most memorable yearly events. You can help, and we’d love to have you join us.
You can help. We are always looking for people who want to get involved in the good work we are doing. When you fill out your Friends Membership Application Form, which is available online, in the store and in the Library, just indicate what you might like to do. Or call the Friends Membership line, 248-650-7160, and leave a message indicating in what areas you’re most interested. Friends Volunteer Opportunities are available in many areas of interest. You can also stop by the Friends Store and fill out an application to work there, or call the Used Book Sale line, 248-650-7178, for information on how you can help with the sales.
Friends Membership Annual Dues
Individual
$20.00
Student
$10.00
Family
$35.00
Senior
$10.00
Senior Couple
$20.00
*Please make all checks payable to Friends of RHPL.
*Dues may be tax deductible
*Senior rates for ages 62 & over -
Donate to the Friends of Rochester Hills Public Library
Please consider donating a financial gift to the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library. All money donated to the Friends goes to support Library programs as well as providing funds for projects, activities, and acquisitions in excess of those provided by the general library budget. Examples of items the library has been able to purchase with Friends donated funds include: the aquarium in the lobby, the bookmobile, the second floor computers for use by the public, and the completion of the new second floor used book room, plus many more items. Also, when you look in the library's "News and Views" you will notice the Friends logo attached to many adult and children's programs that are underwritten by the Friends.
Donating to the Friends helps to keep the Rochester Hills Public Library vibrant and up to date.
Friends Board of Directors
"The Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law." -
Guidelines for Donating Materials
All materials must be in reasonably good condition.
We cannot accept books that are dirty, moldy, musty, or smelly.
WE ACCEPT:
Hardcover and paperback books
Textbooks that are less than 10 years old
CDs, DVDs, Bluray
Books on CD
Software and Books Encyclopedia sets in very good condition and less than 25 years old
Records and VinylWE DO NOT ACCEPT:
VHS
If you have a large donation and need help unloading it, please call the library before coming to make sure there is a volunteer available to help you. Volunteers are generally here Monday through Friday in the morning. For other arrangements, call 248-650-7178.
Cassettes
Magazines
National Geographic Magazines
Readers Digest
Condensed Books
Textbooks over 10 years old -
Friends Special Events
Friends of RHPL offers various Special Events throughout the year
2023
- Spring Used Book Sale - April 19 - 23
- Wine, Wit & Wisdom - April 29
- Little Caesars Arena Tour - May 2
12:00pm - 1:30pm
1 ticket - $30; 2 tickets - $60; 3 tickets - $90; and 4 tickets - $120 - Summer Used Book Sale - July 26 - 29, 31
- Fall Used Book Sale - October 18 - 22
- Quality Book Sale - November 30 - December 2
- Holiday Home Tour - December 10
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Friends Board Meetings
All meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month in the Board Room, located in the Library's Administration Area and begin at 7 P.M.
The public is welcome to attend. -
50th Year Business Anniversaries
Please click on the businesses' name to bring you to our online poster (will open in PDF form). By clicking the year associated with the business, you will be redirected to their main website.
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Friends Library Store
Michigan-made food favorites
like American Spoon are favorite
gifts and souvenirs.
We also carry vases and tiles
crafted at Detroit’s historic
Pewabic Pottery.Mission: Provide merchandise which fulfills the educational, informational, recreational, and cultural interests of the communities served by the library. The Friends Library Store is located near the staircase in the main lobby of the library. There you will find an imaginative selection of gifts, beautiful cards, stylish jewelry and accessories, home décor and seasonal items, as well as Michigan – themed and made products. The store has been run entirely by volunteers for more than 25 years, and all proceeds benefit the library. Volunteers Welcome The store always looks for helpful, smiling people to join the staff. If you enjoy interacting with customers and have a few hours free each week, please stop by for an application. New recruits are paired with veterans who know all the ins and outs. 
Store HoursMonday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m.
Phone: 248-650-7179
