Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany

Friends Location Update

For nearly 50 years, the Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany has been part of the fabric of this parish. As an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we have spent every one of those years doing something simple but meaningful: turning donated books into resources that strengthen our libraries, support our students, and bring our community together. Today, we are writing to share some difficult news and to ask for your help.

NEW LOCATION

321 W. 29th Ave., Covington, LA 70433

The Difference We’ve Made Together

Nearly every dollar we earn goes right back into the community. Over our 50 years of service, a countless number of items have been sold and hours volunteered. In just the past five years, our monthly book sales and silent auctions have generated more than $63,000 in direct contributions by selling approximately 180,000 items using 25,000 volunteer hours:

We contributed $39,325 to the St. Tammany Parish Library system, funding Summer Reading Programs, the Covington Musical Garden, the Lee Road branch renovation, technology upgrades for Children’s Librarians, and eAudio book purchases.

Through the Lisbeth Millard Scholarship, we have awarded $23,950 to St. Tammany Parish graduating seniors pursuing four-year degrees—and we have increased the award over time as costs have risen for our students and their families.

Beyond the numbers, our work touches lives in quieter ways. We donate books to nursing homes, veterans’ groups, prisons, maternity homes, and library craft programs. Hundreds of residents attend our monthly sales—homeschooling families looking for children’s books, collectors searching for something rare, and neighbors who simply enjoy affordable reading and good company. Our sales average around $2,000 per month, and because we are entirely volunteer-run, we keep overhead near zero so that every possible dollar reaches the people and programs that need it.

How You Can Help

We are hopeful about the future, but we cannot chart a path forward alone. We are looking for:

Financial support — contributions, grants, or sponsorships to help cover lease costs, facility preparation, or moving expenses. Our goal is to obtain $12,000 per year.

Your Support Is Tax-Deductible

Because we are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every contribution you make to the Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Whether you give money, space, or services, your generosity can work for you at tax time:

Monetary donations of any size are fully deductible as charitable contributions. We will provide a written acknowledgment for your records.

Ways to Give

However, you choose to help, we are grateful. Here are the easiest ways to contribute:

By check — Make checks payable to “Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany” and mail to: Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany, 321 W. 29th Ave., Covington, LA 70433.

By electronic transfer or online payment — Please reach out to us at friendsofweststammany@gmail.com and we will provide payment details.

Gifts of space, services, or materials — We would love to hear from you. Contact us directly to discuss your offer, and we will provide a donation receipt documenting your contribution for tax purposes.

Your donation will be acknowledged on our website and at special events.

We have served this community for half a century, and we hope to serve it for fifty more. If you are in a position to help—with space, funding, or simply a conversation that points us in the right direction—we would be deeply grateful to hear from you.

Want to donate? Click the button below to help the Friends!

Contact us: Alice McNeal at (479) 244-0503 or at friendsofweststammany@gmail.com, opens a new window

Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit • Serving St. Tammany Parish since 1977

All donations are tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the specific deductibility of your contribution.

About the Friends

Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization whose mission is to help the library with additional funding generated through monthly book sales and a book auction.

Lisabeth Millard Scholarship

The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany – “Lisabeth Millard Scholarship" is a $2,800 scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior who will be attending an accredited four (4) year college or university starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

The scholarship will be paid in the amount of $700.00 per academic year in installments of $350.00 for the spring and fall semesters. The total amount over a four (4) year academic program is $2,800.00.

The student must reside in St. Tammany Parish to be eligible to receive the scholarship.

Recipient of the 2026 Lisabeth Millard Scholarship

The Friends are happy to announce that Lily Ronquillo is the 2026 Lisabeth Millard Scholarship winner.

Lily is the daughter of Jennifer and Adam Ronquillo. She is a recent graduate of Lakeshore High School in Mandeville.

This fall, she plans to attend Louisiana State University and major in Biological Sciences to one day become a dentist.

As well as having outstanding academic achievements, Lily has been active in school & community events. She has exceeded 120 hours of community service, many of them in the Lakeshore Library.

Used Book Sales

All book sales are held at the Friends of the Library of West St .Tammany building located at 321 W. 29th Ave. in Covington. Find books, DVDs, music and audio CDs, and some puzzles from $3. There is often a large selection of home school items as well as children's books. All proceeds support St. Tammany Parish Libraries.

Upcoming Sale: July 17 and 18

The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany will have a book sale on Friday & Saturday, July 17 and 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Items starting as low as 25 cents!

Special collections, vintage books, and book sets are individually priced.

The Friends are taking donations but ask for NO audio cassettes, VHS tapes, encyclopedias, or vinyl records. Please leave donations on our front porch by the door. Don’t leave donations on our back porch; they’ll be exposed to the weather.

2026 Sale Dates:

  • July – 17 & 18
  • August – 14 & 15
  • September – 18 & 19
  • October – 16 & 17
  • November – 20 & 21
  • December – 18 & 19

Free Books

We also have a “free books” table available on the porch of our building located at 321 W. 29th Ave. in Covington every day. Please come by and take any of the books you wish.

Silent Auction Information

A Silent Auction is held in a glass case alternating each month at the Covington, Causeway, and Madisonville Library branches. Books up for auction are high-value in various subjects and are in almost new condition but with very low starting bids.

The selection of books changes each month. Bids are taken at the circulation desk and winners who have made the top bid are notified by phone.

Auction Lists for June 2026

Causeway

TCM Wartime Musicals DVD - Starting Bid:$10
4 classic films to enjoy. Retail: $44

A 365 Day Devotional for Women - Starting Bid: $3
A beautiful devotional filled with Scripture and prayers. Retail: $11

Sunset in New Orleans 1000 Piece Puzzle-Starting Bid: $5
1000-piece puzzle of picturesque New Orleans. Retail: $19

Weapons: History of Arms and Armor Starting Bid: $5
The epic 4,000-year illustrated story of weaponry. Retail: $25

John Paul II the Epic Life of A Pilgrim Pope - Starting Bid: $3
A journey of John Paul II in photos and words. Retail: $11

The Oprah Winfrey DVD Set - Starting Bid: $4
A 6-disc collection celebrating Oprah's 20th anniversary. Retail: $13

The New Self-Sufficient Gardener - Starting Bid: $10
John Seymour's classic guide to gardening. Retail: $55

The Tiger and The Honey Badger Take on The Zoo - Starting Bid: $4
A beautiful and fun children's book. Retail: $17

The Collected Jack London - Starting Bid: $5
A fully-rounded collection of Jack London's work. Retail: $20

Cooking Up A Storm Cookbook - Starting Bid: $5
Recipes lost & found from the Times-Picayune of N.O. Retail: $20

The Age of Eisenhower - Starting Bid: $8
An insightful account of Eisenhower's presidency. Retail: $32

Covington

Armored Victory 1945. Starting Bid: $18
Tank combat in the European Theater. Retail: $70

Cooking Up A Storm. Starting Bid: $9
Recipes Lost & Found from Times-Picayune. Retail: $24

History of Religion. Starting Bid: $9
Provides analysis of every religion. Illus. Retail: $25

Fish Puzzle. Starting Bid: $7
500 pieces & includes poster. Retail: $20

Complete Guide to Flower Gardening. Starting Bid: $20
Detailed how-to guide. Illustrated drawings & photos. Starting Bid: $7

33 By Arthur Conan Doyle. Starting Bid: $6
Classic stories by the Creator of Sherlock Homes. Retail: $18

Metairie Cemetery by Gandolfo. Starting Bid: $18
Historical Memoir; Tales of great N.O families. Retail: $70

John Wayne Collection. 16 Films On 5 DVD’s. Starting Bid: $7
The “Duke’s” greatest westerns. B/W & color. Retail: $20

Australia: The Greatest Island. Starting Bid: $14
Aerial exploration of Australia. Retail: $40

The Big Pub Quiz Game. Starting Bid: $8
1000 questions on 10 different categories. Retail: $24

Chile. Starting Bid: $5
Photo book of Chile with Spanish text. Retail: $15

Armchair Travels. Starting Bid: $5
See the world from the comfort of your own home. Retail: $15

WWII James Jones – Starting Bid: $7
Combat art & text come to life. Retail: $25

Madisonville

Indiana Jones DVD Set - Starting Bid: $9
The four-DVD set, digitally remastered. Retail: $36

Wonders of the World - Starting Bid: $5
Rich historical details and stunning photos of 100 man-made treasures. Retail: $22

The Literary Garden - Starting Bid: $5
A unique look at gardening through the lens of some of our most beloved literature. Retail: $20

Cezanne in Provence - Starting Bid: $7
Gorgeous color plates of the artist's famous landscapes with background details of his inspiration and life. Retail: $28

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs - Starting Bid: $5
Over 100 recipes for young chefs with tips in the art of baking. Retail: $20

The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs - Starting Bid: $5
Over 100 kid-tested and approved recipes to cook and share with your family and friends! Retail: $20

365 Devotions for Hope - Starting Bid: $4
A celebration of Hope through inspirational quotes, scripture and short essays. Retail: $15

Impressionism and Post-Impressionism Art - Starting Bid: $10
277 full-color paintings from the world's most celebrated artists including Monet, Renoir, Degas and many others. Retail: $40

The Prophet - Starting Bid $4
Beautiful copy of the timeless classic with illustrations. Retail: $18

Nancy Drew (1st 6 books) - Starting Bid $7
Illustrated set of the original detective stories - perfect for young girls 7-10 years or anyone wishing to revisit childhood favorites. Retail: $30

Volunteer and Donate

Volunteer with the Friends!
Teens and adults are welcome to volunteer at our building every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. As a special thank you, volunteers will receive 1 free book per service hour. To find out more about volunteering or set up a training orientation call Alice at (479) 244-0503.

Donations
We appreciate and are grateful for your book donations. They can be brought to 321 W. 29th Ave., Covington, LA 70433 on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 am-2 pm when volunteers are here to assist you. Please note that we don’t accept encyclopedias, magazines, LP records or VHS tapes. We can provide a receipt for your donations if you choose.

Contact the Friends

Physical Address
321 W. 29th Ave.
Covington, LA 70433

Mailing Address
Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany
P. O. Box 3292
Covington, LA 70434

Email FriendsofWestStTammany@gmail.com

Phone (985) 900-2160

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