The Friends of the Newton County Library are sponsoring a Gift Tree just inside the lobby at the Newton County Library. The tree is decorated with colorful paper ornaments each listing a type of book or audio visual item with the amount it takes to purchase the item.

Anyone can donate the suggested amount to the library to purchase a title in their name or to honor someone. Last season, Newton County Residents donated more than $2,500 to purchase 120 books, paperbacks and DVDs for the Children’s Room and general collections at the library.

"Donating to the library by buying a book or video is a perfect gift for anyone on your Christmas list who you cannot think what to get for them," said Pat Haymore, president of the Friends of the Library.

When someone donates funds for the book or DVD, a book plate will be placed on the item that will show the name of the donor and the person who the donation is to honor.

"Every dollar that can be raised through the efforts of the Friends’ Gift Tree brings many dollars worth of benefits to the community", said Greg Heid, director of the Newton County Library. "We rely a great deal on the Friends of the Library to help us purchase newer books and other materials for our growing population to read or view."

The ornaments for donations include: $10 for paperback books, $20 for children’s books, $25 for adult books, $20 for DVD titles, $75 for audio books on cassette or CD-ROM, and an ornament that suggests a general donation to the library.

"We hope to raise more than $2,600 this year for the library," said Haymore. "The Friends’ Gift Tree will be in the library through the first of the New Year. I encourage everyone to help purchase titles for the library."