The Friends of the Norfolk Public Library
2008 Annual Letter
Dear Friends;
2008 was yet another successful year for the Friends of the Norfolk Library. We began the year with $27,700 in our treasury, and we’re ending it with more than $42,700, and along the way we were able to support many projects and programs at the library.
The FRESH Annual Membership Drive netted $14,500 and the Book and Bake Sale netted an astounding $17,000. Because of these incredible fund raisers, we were able to support an assortment of programs and items in 2008. Some of the notable one are:
1 - Share with the Jr. Friends the purchase of a flat screen TV for the craft room
2 - $1,000 earmarked for adult programming
3 - $2,500 to support summer programs and program supplies
4 - $1,000 to cover landscaping expenses for the front of the library
5 - $1,000 to purchase books and provide programming for the
Great Norfolk Read.
6 - $5,000 to help cover a $23,000 budget shortfall
7 - $75.00 for gift certificates for winners of the Pumpkin Decorating Contest
8 - $120 to purchase copies of Good Night Moon which are given to parents
in the infant program
9 - $350 approved to purchase software that will detect problems in our growing
DVD collection
10 - $4,700 approved for the completion of the Misty Meadows Farm mural framing in the reading room
11 - $1,000 to offset costs associated with printing and mailing the
Guide to Services sent to all households in Norfolk.
12 - $250 for a Children’s’ Christmas program
The total of the above contributions comes of over $17,000. This is in addition to the over $2,000 we pay for the museum passes each year, our ongoing commitment to the purchase of the Book Pages monthly magazine, supplementation of the Technology Fund, and the Book Rental Program.
It continues to amaze me what we do year to year, and how our efforts help to make the library a more vibrant, relevant gathering place for our entire community. The economic forecast for 2009 looks dismal and every department within Norfolk
will be affected. Because the library is such a small part of the overall budget of the town, it’s actually less than 1.7%; any reduction in funding will be felt more acutely. Our efforts will be more crucial and more appreciated than ever before.
On a personal note, I’d like to thank Denise D’Entremont for the years she’s given to the Friends of the Library serving as our treasurer. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how she managed to continue for as long as she did. Her demanding job, more demanding travel schedule and a most demanding president in me would have broken a less diligent and conscientious person. Thank you so much for hanging in there with all of us, and congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family. Thank you, Denise.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Gothorpe
President, Friends of the Norfolk Public Library
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