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
PO Box 3292
Covington, LA  70434

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.

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: September 18th and 19th

The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany will have a book sale on Friday & Saturday, October 16th and 17th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Items starting as low as 50 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:

  • 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 October 2026

Causeway

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - Starting Bid: $4
The complete works of William Shakespeare. Retail: $17

JESUS LISTENS FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS - Starting Bid: $4
Prayers and reflections for the peace and beauty of Christmas. Retail: $10

SLEEP PSALMS - Starting Bid: $4
Nightly moments of mindfulness and rest. Retail: $14

THE ELEMENTS OF MARIE CURIE - Starting Bid: $4
A chronicle of the life of Marie Curie. Retail: $15

JANE AUSTEN PLAYING CARDS - Starting Bid: $5
Enjoy fun card games from the era of Jane Austen. Retail: $20

THE UNOFFICIAL GAME OF THRONES COOKBOOK - Starting Bid: $4
An epic culinary journey to the Heart of Westeros! Retail: $13

RAILWAY DVDS - Starting Bid: $8
A 10 DVD set that includes Railway Journeys and The World's Greatest Railroads. Retail: $32

THE OFFICIAL NANCY DREW HANDBOOK - Starting Bid: $12
Life lessons from the amazing Nancy Drew. Retail: $63

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE & OTHER STORIES - Starting Bid: $5
A chic addition of a classic to add to your collection. Retail: $14

DOWNTON ABBEY 1000 PIECE PUZZLE - Starting Bid: $5
Retail: $18

EMERIL'S TV DINNERS - Starting Bid: $5
Includes more than 150 recipes. Retail: $18

DISNEY COLLECTION - Starting Bid: $10
12 illustrated Disney classics for children in hardcover. Retail: $70

Covington

IVANHOE BY WALTER SCOTT - Starting Bid: $12
Easton Press. Leatherbound, gold trim, limited edition. Illustrated. Retail: $40

MOBY DICK BY HERMAN MELVILLE - Starting Bid: $12
Easton Press. Leatherbound, gold trim, limited edition. Illustrated. Retail: $40

HARDY BOYS SET (1959) - Starting Bid: $12
Rare book set. Excellent condition. Retail: $40

TATOR'S SWAMP FEVER - Starting Bid: $6
Signed by the author. Excellent condition. Retail: $20

GOODNIGHT NOLA - Starting Bid: $18
Endearing bedtime book. Retail: $50

NEW ORLEANS GARDEN - Starting Bid: $5
Paperback, signed. Retail: $15

TALES OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS - Starting Bid: $5
Classic edition. Translated by Burton. Retail: $15

PLANTATIONS OF THE OLD SOUTH - Starting Bid: $10
Great American homes Photos and info. Illustrated. Retail: $30

OLD NEW ORLEANS - Starting Bid: $10
Great American homes Photos and info. Illustrated. Retail: $30

MILLENNIUM FAMILY ENCYLOPEDIA - Starting Bid: $8
5 vols. Illustrated. Retail: $20

MARILYN MONROE - Starting Bid: $5
Illustrated, with many black and white pictures. Retail: $15

BRIDE & GROOM COOKBOOK - Starting Bid: $7
First and forever. Illustrated. Retail: $25

Madisonville

EMERIL'S TV DINNERS - STARTING BID: $5
Motto - always food of love. Retail: $18

CLASSICS CHILDREN'S COLLECTION - STARTING BID: $10
Excellent condition of book set. Retail: $50

2 DVD SET OF CLASSICS - STARTING BID: $7
Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia, unopened. Retail: $28

THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY - STARTING BID: $6
100 years of adventure and discovery. Retail: $40

HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II - STARTING BID: $4
His visit to New Orleans. Retail: $12

DINOTOPIA - STARTING BID: $4
This book is an "odyssey for the eye." Retail: $16

SLEEPING ANIMALS AT THE ZOO - STARTING BID: $4
Award winning local author and illustrators. Retail: $10

EUROGRAPHICS PUZZLE - STARTING BID: $5
Van Gogh 1000 pieces. Retail: $20

READER'S DIGEST FOR YOUR GARDEN - STARTING BID: $6
Well-illustrated hints and tips. Retail: $20

THE MERMAID CHAIR - STARTING BID: $5
A Southern uplifting voice about family. Retail: $14

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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