Friends Of The Library
2008 FOL Volunteer of the Year
The Friends this year have selected Judy Mader as our Volunteer of the Year. We recognize and appreciate the countless hours Judy has given to chairing the Garden Tour, working at book sales and Christmas Tour of Homes, weeding and watering the library gardens and containers, and doing lots of other things for the Friends.
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Who We Are
The Friends of the Frances L. Simek Memorial Library, Inc. (Friends) is a non-profit 501{c}-3 organization, dedicated to aid and promote the activities and services of the Frances L. Simek Memorial Library-Medford. Friends of the Library are the special people who give freely of their time, energy and enthusiasm to accomplish these goals.
There are volunteer projects to fit different times and talents. Volunteerism provides a chance to enhance the library and help the staff. Do you have some extra time? Are you looking for something new and would like to help the library? Join the FOL Volunteers.
Volunteers can arrange their schedules for their convenience. Some people work on a regular schedule coming in once a week. Others prefer coming in when help is needed as an on-call volunteer.
It is easy to become a library volunteer. Just contact FOL Volunteer Coordinator Pat Robinson or the library (748-2505).
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What We Do
FOL members give support financially to the library, and many also choose to participate in other FOL sponsored activities such as:
- Christmas Tour of Homes and Summer Tour of Gardens - on alternate years FOL sponsors tours of outstanding area homes and gardens.
- Semi-annual Book Sale - twice a year the FOL volunteers organize a used book sale. Books donated by the public are for sale during the three day event (first day is FOL members only).
- Assisting the Library Staff - Some people volunteer to come in on a regular basis and help the staff where and when needed. On occasion, volunteers provide hospitality needs for various library and FOL functions.
- Shelf Help Day - The staff decides which area of the library needs a little extra tender loving care to make it more attractive and easier for the public to use. The Friends volunteer their time to get the job done.
- Storytime - Storytime provides a high quality, developmental and age appropriate literature for preschool children during the school year.
- Reading Discussion Series - The FOL Readers' Group meets in the large conference room on the third Tuesday of September, November, January, March and May at 7:00 pm for discussion of that month's featured book. The book discussion schedule is on the Events page.
- Tending The Library Gardens - Since we do not employ a gardener, the Friends took over the duties of planting and caring for the library gardens. This project is under the leadership of Liz Archibald and Pat Robinson.
- Display Shelves - The Friends change displays on the shelves at the library entrance. This is the perfect place to display additions to the library collection and let patrons know what is available at the library.
- Publishing The FOL Membership Newsletter
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When and Where We Meet
The Friends meet eight times a year on the last Monday of the month at the Frances L. Simek Memorial Library - Medford. There are no meetings in June, July, August or December.
Members receive a newsletter to keep them abreast of upcoming events that is published quarterly. They also have a special "members only" early shopping night for the book sale. But the biggest reward for becoming a member is the satisfaction of participating in the development of a first-class library.
Upcoming Meeting Information
March 31, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., Large Conference Room
April 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., Large Conference Room
May 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., Large Conference Room
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FOL Funded Projects
The Friends bring in funds through membership dues, contributions and various fund raising activities. These funds provide:
- Annual support for the Children's Summer Reading Program and other children's programming.
- Purchase of the annual Caldecott and Newbury award books.
- Support for the continuing development of our library.
- Additions to the library computer equipment.
- Purchase of the microfilm reader and its related maintenance.
- Book prizes for the Open House during National Library Week.
- Continuing additions to the library collection.
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FOL Events
| Date |
Event |
Time |
| March 15, 2008 (tentative) |
Program with Ed Zappen - Jefferson's Writing Desk - Large Conference Room |
10:00 am |
| March 31, 2008 |
Membership Meeting - Large Conference Room |
7:00 pm |
| April 16,17,18 & 19, 2008 |
Book Sale |
| Book Sale Dates and Times |
| Wednesday, April 16 |
3 pm to 7 pm (Members Only) |
| Thursday, April 17 |
9 am to 7 pm |
| Friday, April 18 |
9 am to 5 pm |
| Saturday, April 19 |
9 am to Noon - $2 Bag Sale |
|
| April 28, 2008 |
Membership Meeting - Large Conference Room |
7:00 pm |
| May 19, 2008 |
Membership Meeting - Large Conference Room
Election of Officers and Board Members |
7:00 pm |
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FOL Newsletter -March, 2008
Members of the Friends,
At last, Spring 2008! I'd like to forget the winter and move ahead into warmer days. One way to leave winter is to look ahead to Friends' activities.
The spring book sale is being planned for April 16-19. There is more information about the fundraiser elsewhere in this newsletter.
April is also membership renewal month and a renewal form is enclosed. I encourage you to renew your membership as promptly as possible and maybe even recruit a new member. Lifetime members: while you owe no dues, return the form with your interests checked. Having a list of the activities all members would volunteer for will help the chairpersons as they set up their committees. Can you give some time when the call comes?
The Friends has been chartered as a nonprofit group since October 19, 1992. When I talk with persons who are in other organizations throughout the area, they all mention the same thing: it's difficult getting persons to take leadership roles. Here are some opportunities to defy the norm:
- become a Board member
- as a Board member take an office
- chair a standing committee
- chair fundraisers such as book sales, garden tours, Christmas tours of homes
- arrange for programs for members and the public
This is your organization and your help is always needed to keep it viable and energetic. We do make a difference to the library, and it is definitely appreciated.
R. M. Lefebvre, President
Membership Renewal Time
It's membership renewal time for Friends of the Medford Public Library. Please take a few minutes to renew your membership and volunteer interests right now. Continued membership means we can support our public library and offer programs to members and the public. The form is included with this newsletter. Lifetime members, of course, owe no dues. They should, however, fill out the form and update their volunteer interests.
We welcome new Friends! Extend an invitation to someone you know to join the Friends. There are membership brochures at the circulation desk in the library. Increased membership helps us maintain a vital, active organization. Each pair of hands contributes so much to our library.
Program Reviews
February 7, 2008 --- Michelle Brost --- Experiences and Advice of a Triathlete
Mile after mile of swimming, biking, and running - these are the events in which a triathlete engages. Michelle told us about her training procedures and encouraged all to begin small and take themselves to whatever level they feel appropriate for them.
March 15, 2008 --- Ed Zappen --- Thomas Jefferson's Writing Desk
Often it's the details that make historical events interesting and easily remembered. Ed Zappen, of Wisconsin Rapids, certainly knows the details surrounding the writing of our Declaration of Independence. He used a replica (which he himself made) of Thomas Jefferson's writing desk to describe the events that lead up to and followed the signing of this historical document. He demystified many so-called facts: why is the word "unanimous" present on some copies and not others? Why are the signatures on the right?
Message Center
A message center for FOL has been set up. It's on the bulletin board in the foyer, above the water fountains. Look for and post messages in the box. Some of the FOL items that could be posted are program and meeting announcements and sign-up sheets. Check with Ann Harris before posting any items.
Volunteer of the Year - Judy Mader
Each year the Taylor County Volunteer Recognition Council sponsors an opportunity for volunteer organizations to recognize a person who has contributed hours of dedicated service to their organization.
The Friends this year have selected Judy Mader for that honor. We recognize and appreciate the countless hours Judy has given to chairing the Garden Tour, working at book sales and Christmas Tour of Homes, weeding and watering the library gardens and containers, and doing lots of other things for the Friends. The banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 29, at 5:30 pm at the Veranda. FOL Members can also attend the banquet by purchasing tickets from April 7 to April 18 (call 785-7334). The cost is $7.50 each.
This year each ticket holder will be able to vote for a volunteer organization of his/her choice, and the organization with the most votes will win a cash prize. The more FOLers attending the banquet, the more votes our organization will receive. Give some thought to purchasing a ticket and attending the banquet. We could win a cash prize to help us with our activities.
Book Sale
| Date |
Time |
| Wednesday, April 16 |
Setup 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Wednesday, April 16 |
Members-only sale: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. |
| Thursday, April 17 |
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Friday, April 18 |
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 19 |
$2 Bag Sale: 9 a.m. to Noon |
| Saturday, April 19 |
Cleanup Noon + |
The Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale will soon be upon us. Again, we ask for your support. We need your donations of good quality books, CD's, cassettes, videos, puzzles, and magazines to to make this important fundraiser a success. Please do not donate Reader's Digest, condensed books, or musty, dirty books or old magazines, as they do not sell. Drop your donations off at the library by April 14.
Posters advertising the sale will be available for distribution at the March 31 meeting. Members helping with the setup are asked to wait until the Wednesday membership-only sale to select their books.
Volunteers to help set up the sale, work during the sale, or help break down on saturday are always needed and greatly appreciated. To volunteer your time, please contact Barbara Vannerson at 748-9811 or you may e-mail to wmvan@tds.net. Each shift is two hours.
This sale would be a good time for you to drop off your membership renewal, or, for lifetime members, an opportunity to drop off your interest sheet.
Readers Group Schedule Changes
Meet on Thursday, March 27 instead of Tuesday, March 18, to discuss Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Meet on Tuesday, May 20, to discuss Sophie's World.
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FOL Board Of Directors
| 2007 - 2008 Friends of the Library Board of Directors |
| President |
Rose Marie Lefebvre |
| Vice President |
Betsy Rust |
| Secretary |
Monelle Johnson |
| Treasurer |
Kristi Tlusty |
| Members at Large: |
| Sharon Beilfuss |
Lisa Dums |
| Frank Skibbe |
Diane Thielke |
| Joanne Wolf |
|
| Standing Committees: |
| Volunteers |
|
| Newsletter |
Rose Marie Lefebvre |
| Display Shelves |
Carol Arnett |
| Membership |
Vicki Jeppesen |
| Garden |
Liz Archibald |
| Ex-Officio Members: |
| Ann Harris, Director |
Library Board Member (vacant) |
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