The Friends of the Library volunteer group partnered with the Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association to hold its first-ever tea party and pop-up shop June 25 in the upstairs room at the Public Library of Catasauqua, Third and Bridge streets.

The partnership came about because this was a year the HCPA was supposed to have a house tour, according to Betsy Hillenbrand, HCPA and Friends president.

“We found that a lot of people were not that open to opening their homes to the public anymore, and so we were going to cancel it and thought that this might be a fun thing to do, partnering with the Friends group. We might do it again in the future,” Hillenbrand said.

The combination was a perfect fit for this event, in that the things that lent such charm and authenticity to the tea, such as the lace tablecloths, china cups, saucers and dishes, crystal and flatware, were all on loan from the HCPA.

The newly renovated upstairs room of the library provided an elegant backdrop for the Victorian decorations and flower arrangements, the perfectly appointed tables and the expertly arranged food and beverages on the buffet table.

The food, which included finger sandwiches, flat breads, gazpacho, strawberry soup and sweet treats, was all prepared by volunteers. In addition to tea, they offered mimosas and sangria. If that wasn’t enough, they offered your choice of hats and gloves - on loan from HCPA - to help you get into the spirit of the day.

What better way to round out this gorgeous tea experience than to add shopping? The perimeter of the room was lined with displays filled with locally made arts and crafts, ranging from colorful quilting and other sewing to paintings, jewelry and pottery, homemade chocolates and strawberry jam, folk art such as replicas of the Catty Cat logo created for Old Home Week in 1914 and whimsical costumed mice.

Hillenbrand said they found the artists mostly through word of mouth. She knew a few, and they put the word out. She said others have been stopping in to inquire about a space for next year.

The artists were asked to donate 10% of their proceeds.

The hard work of very talented and dedicated volunteers was evident at every turn.

“This is actually a new iteration of the Friends of the Library. We had our first meeting back in January,” Hillenbrand said.

She went on to explain there was a group many years ago, but Catasauqua, like many public libraries, is underfunded and was not functioning on all cylinders. She said a combination of volunteers getting older and a basic loss of interest led to a disbandment of the group.

A change in administration started a turnaround, and the library is moving in the right direction, Hillenbrand said. Her husband sits on the board of directors, and she said she was constantly hearing how underfunded the library was.

They decided it was the perfect time to reinstate the Friends of the Library. Since January, it has become a group of 10 volunteers who are always looking to attract more.

“I do a lot of volunteer work,” Hillenbrand said. “This group by far is probably the best group I’ve ever worked with in terms of working hard, having and sharing ideas. It’s just an amazing group of ladies.”

The Friends of the Library often focuses on fundraising, but Hillenbrand said, this time, it was also about raising awareness about what’s happening at the library, such as how much it has improved and what it offers to the community.

“It’s a great asset to the community, and the women who work there are just amazing,” Hillenbrand noted. “They do such a great job, and they’re so innovative.”

She pointed out the library has a craft corner where anyone can go and choose something to make. They do programs for children as well as for women at a local drug rehabilitation center.

In addition, the library itself has been undergoing a bit of a face-lift, with the help of few Trexler grants it received. The downstairs was carpeted, the heating system revamped and the spacious room upstairs renovated.

The group is hoping to get more grants to make the upstairs room accessible by Americans with Disabilities Act standards. It would need an elevator and a restroom large enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The goal is to open that room up to the community to rent for events.

“It would be a big bonus to them as a source of income,” Hillenbrand added.

The Friends of the Library managed to raise almost a thousand dollars since the beginning of the year with bake sales, a spring plant sale and flower sales.

“The goal of the first fundraiser was to raise enough money for a new drop box,” Hillenbrand said.

The old one is an old mailbox that leaks, she added, so the group is hoping to replace it with something bright and cheery that will keep the books dry.

“The cost is about $3,000, so between what we raised and a donation that covered about half of it, we are well on our way,” she added.