It’s time to celebrate the continuing effort to support the Stockton-San Joaquin County Library and literacy year after year.

That is the reason behind the gathering to take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Tracy when representatives of the many Friends of the Library groups in San Joaquin County will gather at the home of Tiffanie Heben in Tracy. Drinks and hors d’oeurves will be provided.

Those who plan to attend are requested to RSVP by Dec. 1 by calling 209.830.9611 or by sending an email to alcala.heben@comcast.net

The non-profit Friends of the Library organization has been a backbone to the libraries throughout San Joaquin County. During the budget crises especially at the last Great Recession, the various Friends groups in the county including the one in Manteca have stepped forward to assist the libraries in their areas in a variety of ways. They sponsored many library activities such as reading programs for toddlers and young children during the summer, donated a wide variety of library materials, and have offered thousands of volunteer hours to help the depleted staff by helping shelve the books and doing other chores.

At the Manteca Public Library, as well as in other branch libraries in the county, the Friends group has maintained a book sale with the proceeds being used to fund library programs that otherwise would not be offered due to lack of funds.