Traditionally, Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford has purchased the first Christmas ornament offered each year by the Friends of the Troy Public Library.

Traditionally, those ornaments are available in October.

The Friends broke with tradition this year and offered the ornament on July 12.

“We wanted to offer an ornament commemorating the dedication of the new Troy Public Library in July,” said Juanita Rogers, Friends president. “And, again, Mayor Lunsford bought our first ornament. We appreciate his longtime support of our ornament project and we appreciate the support of the community. Their support has made it possible for us to do more things for our library.”

Through the support of the Friends of the Library’s Christmas ornament project, the Friends were able to purchase all of the office furniture for the new library.

“The new library has been a dream, a hope, for a long time,” Rogers said. “Back when Kathy Gibson was president of Friends, we starting saving in hopes that we could meet a need of the new library. We were excited to have saved $33,000 for that project. And, with that amount we were able to make a worthwhile contribution to the new library in the purchase of furniture for the offices.”

Rogers expressed appreciation to all of those who have support Friends projects over the years and asked for the continued support of library patrons.

“We want to be able to support the library by purchasing things that are needed but not budgeted,” she said. “The purpose of Friends is to support the library in different ways and to provide affordable reading materials for those who want to purchase books.”

The Friend’s Book Nook has hardback books available for 50 cents unless priced otherwise. Paperbacks are up to 25 cents.

“We also have a limited supply of Christmas ornaments that feature the old Troy High School and prints of Ruth Walker’s painting of Troy High School,” Rogers said.

The ornaments are $15 and the prints are $25.

Friends’ memberships are $15 for individuals and $25 for families. Gold memberships are $100 and silver memberships are $50.

Business sponsorships are $100 silver; $150, gold; and $200, platinum.

“We greatly appreciate the support of Friends and invite everyone to become a Friend of the Library,” she said.