The Ocala Public Library provides many valuable services to the community. People of all ages benefit from access to books, educational programs, computers and internet, and dozens of other services. This Read-A-Thon is one of the many ways the Friends of the Ocala Public Library helps to support our library. The Friends are major contributors to programs for patrons of all ages -- from toddlers to seniors; they support library staff through educational grants; and they provide the community with information on library programs through a quarterly magazine. The Friends also advocate for the library in our community and with local and state legislators.