Mark Twain once said that good friends and good books are two essentials for an ideal life.

For the Friends of the Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe, the two go hand in hand.After being hired as the new library director on March 3, Mariann Kmetz sought to update the library's computers, and The Friends pledged $1,000 toward the project."We raise as much money as possible for the library," said Janet Hermann, president of the Friends. "Budgets for libraries keep getting cut every year."The Friends raised the money through their annual homemade Christmas cookie sale, which was their most successful yet, and the Tommy's hoagie ticket sale, held every August.With the help of additional donations from the Carbon County Historical Society, the library's trustees and the Horsehead Community Development Fund, computers in the library are now updated."We were really behind in times, and it was necessary," Kmetz said of the recent innovations.Kmetz, with the help of the Friends of the Dimmick Memorial Library, hopes to encourage more involvement from the community and take part in more outreach programs to surrounding areas, including Penn Forest, Kidder Township and Nesquehoning."That's a big deal. We need to get it out there that we want to serve everybody," Kmetz said.To support the library's goals, the Friends are planning a number of other projects.Edna Brennan and Karen Bushnell, both members of the Friends, plan to offer a Secret Garden Tour of the lovely but hidden floral arrangements behind the old homes on Broadway in Jim Thorpe.Carol O'Brien, Palmerton, is a new member who is lending her expertise by reviewing books in the library's vault, which have been there for quite a few decades, and giving items with historical significance to the Mauch Chunk Historical Society. Some items are also being collected for appraisal by a rare book auctioneer.The Friends of the Dimmick Memorial Library House and Book Store, at 58 Broadway, just two doors down from the library, will be seeing some minor improvements that will enhance the Victorian-style home.Changes include a new sign for the bookstore, lighting, painting and garden work. Local Boy Scouts have been assisting the Friends with the project.The Book Store will be selling Bill Allison's DVD, "Jim Thorpe: The Old Mauch Chunk History Tour," a 90-minute tour of the town's Victorian culture from the early 1800s to 1900. Also for sale are T-shirts, sweatshirts, book bags and, of course, books, which are either donated or come from the library's collection.Books are only a few dollars each, and all proceeds go directly to the library.The store is open from noon to 4 p.m. every Saturday, and 3-7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. On festival weekends, the store is open both Saturday and Sunday.The Friends hope to open their doors a few additional hours during the week with the hope that more people will stop in to support the library."This is a gem for our community, and I hope everyone has a chance to stop by and see what is happening there," Hermann said.