Take What You Need is a community support project organized by the library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB). This project provides helpful personal items, available free to all Salem Public Library visitors, in clear pocket holders in the Floor 1 restrooms and in a designated box at the West Salem Branch Ask Here Desk.
Take What You Need: Family Edition offers diapers and other items useful to families with small children and is located in the Children’s Corner on Floor 2.
Take What You Need also offers brochures and information from various helping organizations in Salem for those who need additional support.
Start-up funding for the project was provided by the Library Advisory Board and the Salem Public Library Foundation. Ongoing support comes from generous community donations:
- Shipped directly to the library via an Amazon Wish List. This list is maintained to reflect current needs, with most-needed items displayed at the top.
- Left in the marked secure collection box located outside the Teen Scene Room at the Main Library, 585 Liberty St. SE
The following items are regularly offered through the Take What You Need project, depending on availability and seasonal need:
- Tampons and pads
- Hand sanitizer
- Anti-fogging wipes
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Brushes and combs
- Hair elastics and scrunchies
- Nail files
- Hand lotion
- Deodorant
- Lip balm
- Socks, hats, and gloves
- Hand warmers
- Sunscreen
