 |
 Fundraising -
In May of 2007 the Friends of the Cumberland Public Library opened
their permanent Friends Bookstore, operated completely by
volunteers. Led by President Nancy Chaput, Friends set up the
shelving, arranged for collecting RI sales tax, trained volunteers,
and organized the stock. In its first seven and a half months the
store has netted $7,200.
|
|
|
Education -
Friends of the Hope Library Association sponsored
Navigating the Past: The Voyage of the Slave Ship Sally Exhibit,
jointly produced by Brown University’s Steering Committee on Slavery
and Justice and the Rhode Island Historical Society. In conjunction
with the month-long exhibit, Professor James Campbell from Brown
University presented a related slide and lecture program, explaining
Rhode Island’s role in the slave trade. Chair Janet Hanson noted the
Scituate connections in the presentation—the Brown brothers owned
Hope Furnace, and the captain of the Sally, Ezek Hopkins, was a
resident.
|
|
|
Outreach -
As part of their efforts to promote the Library as a
learning resource for the greater East Bay Community, the
Friends of
the Roger Williams University Library started a Great Decisions
Discussion Group using materials from the Foreign Policy
Association, the nation’s oldest organization devoted to citizen
education in world affairs. Friends Chair Elizabeth W. Arnold
describes the sessions, held at the Bristol Statehouse, as an
opportunity to recruit new friends. The program, which features a
short video on the topic for the month followed by open discussion
and a ballot, forwards the resulting opinion to the Foreign Policy
Association.
|
|
|
 Community
Service - Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) recognized
the National Friends of Library Week outreach display board and
bookmarks produced by the Friends of the Mohr Public Library. Carole Norberg, Friends President, writes that their goal was “to provide
awareness to the community about the vital role libraries play in
our lives.” Using quotes provided by FOLUSA as their creative
influence, the Friends produced an eye-catching display board, plus
book marks and showcased their new Friends book bags and mugs. |
|
|
Fundraising -
To the
Friends of the Tiverton Library, Kathy Riley, Chair.
This group raised money to
support libraries hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. What a
splendid cause! In an unusual move, Tiverton Friends invited
representatives from Newport County library Friends Groups—Newport,
Jamestown, and Middletown attended—to its 2006 Annual Meeting. They
raised $450 at a dinner at a local seafood restaurant, through
ticket sales and contributions, including space and food from the
restaurant. Tiverton encourages other Friends to network in this
way, to meet all kinds of challenges.
|
|
|
Education
—
awarded to the Friends of the Pawtucket
Public Library, Paul Mowrey, Friends Chair. For the past two years,
the Pawtucket Friends have sponsored and funded a program called
Live Homework
Help. This is a
bilingual (Spanish and English) online tutorial service provided by professional
tutors, professors, certified teachers, and college and graduate students who
help area students with their homework. This is targeted especially to
Pawtucket students whose low graduation rates and math proficiency are far below
average. Since November 2005, students have participated in 2,255 online
sessions for a total of 509 hours of live online tutoring.
|
|
|
Outreach
—
awarded to the Friends of the Cumberland Public
Library, Nancy Chaput, Chair. Cumberland Friends published a cookbook
with a twist: They asked for kids’ favorite recipes—either recipes kids like to
help cook, or those they just like to eat. Though the project wasn’t meant to
be a fundraiser—it was meant for family outreach—they actually did make money on
it. In their words, “The biggest plus has been the publicity we
received….Three newspapers [published] articles highlighting the work of the
Friends Group and how to become a member. The Friends’ biggest challenge has
been to increase membership, get the word out on who we are and what we do.” |
|
|
Community
Service - To the Friends of the North Kingstown Free
Library, celebrating their 50th anniversary. The Friends group
served birthday cake at several library programs, printed a special
edition of its newsletter, and was recognized in the Sunrise Salute
on WJAR-TV-10 for the tremendous role it plays in raising almost
$20,000 annually to fund a varied array of programs and special
projects for all ages.
|
|
|
Fundraising -
To the Friends of the Mount Pleasant Branch (Providence Public
Library) for its Annual Book Sale/Bazaar. In its 25the year,
the event included an "Attic Treasure" flea market, a children's
performer, a Penny Social for the selection of theme baskets, and
refreshments - in addition to the sale of new and used books.
|
|
|
Outreach -
To the Friends of the Tiverton Library, who are publishing their
newsletter online with clickable links to full reports of library
programs, archival materials, services, and more. The online
newsletter has increased the Friends visibility in the community far
beyond the audience they reached with their printed newsletter.
|
|
|
Programs -
To the Friends of the East Smithfield Public Library for their 4th
annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, a social and educational
program designed to bring people into the library who aren’t regular
patrons. To the sounds of Irish music played with pipes, fiddle and
banjo and Irish step dancing, Friends served up soda bread and tea,
along with Irish books and videos for library users to borrow.
|
|
|
Lifetime
Achievement - To the Friends of the Rochambeau Branch,
Providence Public Library for the outstandingly consistent caliber
of programs that they sponsor each year. In 2005, they sponsored a
Limerick contest, funded new resources for the visually impaired,
donated an additional $25,000 to the library’s building fund, and
celebrated their 25th Anniversary to coincide with the 225th
Anniversary of Count Rochambeau in the American Revolution.
|