The Harlem Friends of the Library invites the community to its 7th Annual Wine and Cheese event on December 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harlem Public Library.

According to Librarian Colleen Brommer, the event will feature a variety of wines and beers for tasting. These have been purchased or donated by Friends of the Library group members. In addition to the beverages, there will be food.

“The Friends always serve delicious food items, so this event is not to be missed,” Brommer said. “You can come to eat, visit, or simply enjoy one another’s company. The primary purpose of the event is socializing,” she added.

Tickets are available for purchase in advance at the library, but they will also be available at the door on Wednesday evening for a slightly higher cost.

Harlem Friends of the Library Executive Board Member, Karolee Cronk, who is also the group’s Events Chair, shared the event’s theme: Winter Wonderland. “People enjoy this event as a beginning to the holiday season,” Cronk said. “We appreciate that the community has been so supportive of our event and of the library.”

Sally O’Leary, co-chair of the Wine and Cheese event, explained that another purpose of the event is to raise funds for the library. To generate these dollars, the group will have several silent and live auction items up for bid. Among those will be a wine basket donated by local vintner James Hodgson, a eucalyptus wreath created by Sally O’Leary, a winter themed table runner quilted by Louise Nissen, and a basket of breads donated by Valerie Van Voast. Kevin Elias will perform as the auctioneer.

Door prizes and a 50-50 raffle will also be part of the fundraising event.

The Friends of the Library group, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which promotes the library, imparts a tremendous service to the Harlem Library with their support of library programs and needs. Some of the equipment they have purchased in the past includes a photocopier and a refrigerator for the meeting room. The group has also paid the fees for the digital book services furnished through the MontanaLibrary2Go program.

A statewide library partnership that offers downloadable digital e-books and audiobooks to patrons at participating libraries, MontanaLibrary2Go ensures that all member libraries are able to provide the latest circulating digital resources to their patrons. Although any public or tribal library may join the MontanaLibrary2Go consortium, there is a subscription fee paid by the library.

By joining the statewide consortium, where individual costs are carefully assigned to make sure that all libraries can afford to participate, rural libraries can provide their small communities with contemporary library services that they may not otherwise be able to afford on their own.

The Montana State Library contracts with a distributor called OverDrive to host the collection and to deliver content to patrons who register for a free account through their local libraries.

“I’m so happy to have the support of the Friends; they are so good about making sure the library has what it needs,” Brommer said. “Sometimes they ask what is on our wish list and then find a way to contribute that item.”

Anyone attending the event will support the efforts of the Friends of the Library, who promise an evening of pleasure and good food.