January, 2009
Dear Norfolk Library Patron;
I’ve been sending a letter like this to all library card holders each January for over ten years, and each year my request is the same. I ask you to join the Friends of the Norfolk Library. Last year 451 of you responded, and you pledged over $14,500.
Your membership dollars support our beautiful new library and many programs for all ages. The children’s department has always been a bee hive of activity with programs and events held throughout the year that the Friends support. This past year however, Library Director, Robin Glasser, made a concerted effort to extend programming to the adult population. With money provided by the Friends of the Library, she was able to schedule many programs. Two of the programs that you may have enjoyed were led by Gary Hylander who is a history professor at Stonehill College. He spoke about the Salem Witch Trials and on another evening he presented Gettysburg: the Battle and the Words. The schedule for the beginning of this year is even more ambitious and is intended to appeal to an even wider audience. The Great Norfolk Read is a town wide reading of a Mary Doria Russell book called the Thread of Grace. Incorporated within this program are several presentations, a book discussion, and
a viewing of the movie Tea With Mussolini. There are also four book groups in existence, and one may be of interest. There is a history group; a Mom’s group, a great discussion current events group and a general fiction book group. Mike Tougas is also coming back to the Norfolk Library in March to discuss his book on the Quabbin Reservoir.
In addition to supporting exciting programming for children and adults, the Friends of the Library fund many of the items at the library that we’ve come to expect such as the Museum Pass Program, the Book Rental Collection, and The Book Pages monthly magazine.
Our Museum Pass Program is unique within the library system in Massachusetts. Because the funding for the eight passes that the Friends provide comes completely from the community, these passes are reserved for Norfolk residents only. Most libraries allow the use of their passes to anyone with a library card from any library. We feel strongly that our passes should be kept within town to be available to the patrons who initially helped to fund the program.
The Book Rental Program was begun two years ago by a grant from the Friends, and we continue to purchase best sellers each month to keep the collection current. This year right before Christmas we inaugurated a Rental Card to be used much like a debit card to rent these best sellers. The usual fee to rent a brand new best seller is $1.00 per week (most area libraries that have similar programs charge $2.00 per week), however if you purchase a Rental Card for $10.00, you get to borrow twelve books. This is an especially good bargain if you’re a regular rental user. If you haven’t used the Book Rental Program, this might be a nice economical way to check out the latest books without the wait usually associated with borrowing best sellers. The card also makes a thoughtful gift for a mother,
father, or special friend who you know would appreciate a thoughtful gesture.
This is turning out to be a particularly tough economic period for our country, and library use nationwide is increasing at the same time that library budgets are being slashed. This budget crisis has extended to Norfolk, and the Friends will be called on during this challenging time to provide additional support for our library. Please consider keeping your charitable donations local by becoming a Friend of the Norfolk Public Library. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Gothorpe
President, Friends of the Norfolk Public Library
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