That's the question a group of people once asked themselves, and subsequently formed the Friends of the Library, now a registered charity.

In listening to their story the adage, `from little acorns oak trees grow', springs to mind.

With an active membership of approximately 20, the organisation has already achieved much to be proud of. To date they have raised $10,000 for the Library.

For years, Friends of the Library maintained a low profile, working quietly and somewhat modestly to raise funds for the extra amenities which Government budgets don't cover.

This they did largely through book and bake sales and slide shows. It was a slow but sure way to success. Now, thanks to the energetic leadership of Friends president Mrs. Cecille Snaith-Simmons and her enthusiastic committee, the organisation is about to spread its wings and lift its profile.

"Our goal is to make more people aware of the Library and to encourage more people to use its facilities, and while we have the new mobile library for the outer areas of the Island, we need to make the Hamilton facility more accessible. And of course, we need to raise more money for the Library,'' Mrs.

Snaith-Simmons explained. "Whereas the Library, being part of Government, cannot solicit funds, as a registered charity we can.'' Getting the Friends' new profile off to a flying start will be a series of elegant fund-raiser dinners on March 27.

"The idea came from the New York Public Library and it will be our major fund-raiser of the year,'' Mrs. Snaith-Simmons explained. "The way it works is that people who are Friends of the Library -- or friends of Friends of the Library -- will hold dinner parties in their homes on the same night at the same time. Each host provides the meal and invites the guests of their choice.

And each guest donates a minimum of $25.'' Already the concept has sparked a host of novel ideas with a literary theme from participants who have already signed up. One thing is certain: the dinner parties will be supremely elegant, black tie affairs, with multi-course meals and fine wines.

Committee member Mr. Jimmy Williams, for example, who studied French cuisine at hotel school in Nice, has devised a menu reflective of that country, while his special table centrepiece will feature a concoction of books.

Mrs. Alinda Cox is planning a six-course dinner based on the theme Around the World, while Mrs. Moira Cann, secretary of Friends, is basing her event on the history of willow pattern china.

Noting that so many high-profile fund-raisers today carry high price tags, Mrs. Snaith-Simmons said that the minimum price of each donation was designed to "spread the net'' among more people, many of whom were automatically excluded from other events by the cost.

"But I am also saying that $25 is the minimum donation acceptable,'' she stressed.

While remaining discreet about guest lists, Mrs. Snaith-Simmmons said hers would be "an interesting mixture'' and include "dignitaries and teachers''.

Mr. Williams was equally circumspect, though he hinted that his guest list will include a "high powered'' VIP friend from the US who is also a member of the Clinton administration. He will attend with his wife.

"We would like to emphasise that not only Friends of the Library are welcome to stage these dinner parties,'' Mrs. Snaith-Simmons explained.

"Anyone wishing to join the cause on March 27 is welcome to do so.'' As a memento of the occasion, each dinner guest will receive a commemorative book mark designed and painted by local artist Ms. Joan Forbes.

One gentleman was so please with the latest project that he donated $500 to the Friends of the Library.

"He was so happy that we were putting some effort into doing something for the Library,'' Mrs. Snaith-Simmons commented.

Optimistic that the dinner parties will be a success, Mrs. Snaith-Simmons said she hoped they would become annual events.

And the reason for all the hospitality? "Our elevator fund,'' Mrs. Snaith-Simmons replied. "One of our purposes is to make the library more accessible and that is our long-range project.'' Meanwhile, the Friends will continue to focus on such shorter-range projects as providing computers and scanners for the library -- amenities which Government's budgetary restrictions cannot at present cover.

"There are 12,000 people who use the library, and we are hoping that more people will be able to take part in this project,'' the president explained.

Due to the number of books now in their possession, the Friends will shortly begin holding their popular book sales on a regular monthly basis.

Books for such sales are derived from donations from private homes and the library itself. Stocks were kept "fresh'' for each sale by a culling process based on the shelf life of a book. Those eliminated were passed on to other charitable outlets where it was hoped they would receive fresh reader appeal.

Evening slide travelogues, held in the main library building, were also steady fund-raisers, and they had proved very popular.

Special notelets and postcards, sold at the library, also swelled the coffers.

While such methods are tried and true and will continue to be part of the overall fund-raising efforts, Mrs. Snaith-Simmons said her committee was actively seeking new ways to raise revenue -- perhaps through a mini gift shop, or specially made Friends of the Library book bags.

Above all, the organisation would like more people to become active members.

It costs nothing but a willingness and commitment to help.

"Our present membership is around 80, but only 20 are active for various reasons. What we want now is for people to help in whatever way they can -- be it at book sales, baking goods for sales, or holding fund-raising events,'' Mrs. Snaith-Simmons said. "We recognise that everyone cannot make the same contribution, but whatever they can do for the Library will be appreciated.'' Due to Government budget cuts, the Friends of the Library has also compiled a list of new books which citizens can purchase and donate to the Library.

As the Friends of the Library once asked themselves, they're now asking you: What are you doing for the Library? Further information on how to become a Friend of the Library and help with its projects or donate a book is available from Mrs. Alinda Cox (tel. 234-2179) and Mr. Jimmy Williams (tel. 297-0479).

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (left to right) Mrs. Alinda Cox, Mrs. Cecille Snaith-Simmons (president), Miss June Brangman and Mr. Jimmy Williams help head Librarian Mr. Cyril Packwood (second from right) promote awareness of the Bermuda Library in Par-la-Ville Park.