Friends' Officers and Committees

 

Officers for the 2024 fiscal year are:

 

President: Annie Schmidt

Vice President: Diana Llewellyn

Secretary: Susan Kalina

Treasurer: Steve Lyon

Members-at-large: Steve Skidmore, Linda Weight, Darlene Jorgenson, Mel Ricks

Past President: Sherry Curran

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Committee Chairs/Teams include:

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Fundraising 

Book Sales: Open

Card Workshop:  Kathy Skelly, Jennifer White, Carri Debolt

Book Sorting: Jon Peak, Diana Llewellyn, and team members

Community Outreach

Membership: Steve Skidmore and Annie Schmidt

       Publicity: Annie Schmidt, Linda Weight

E-presence/Newsletter: Maire Testa

 

      

History of the Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library

 

In May, 1978, the Friends of the Florence Public Library, Inc., was recognized as a corporation by the State of Oregon. Later, as the library district grew and changed its name to the Siuslaw Public Library District, the Friends of the Florence Public Library also changed its name. The Statement of Purpose in 1978 was this:

 

The purposes of this corporation are to maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries; to focus public attention on library services, facilities, and needs; to strengthen and expand library services; to stimulate the use of the library facilities as a resource center for the community; and to assist the board and staff with suggestions that are deemed helpful.

 

From its beginnings, a major activity of the Friends of the Library (FOL) has been events for sales of donated used books to raise funds to support Library needs. In addition to the events, the FOL has sponsors an ongoing sale of donated, used books and magazines available from a small set of shelves whenever the Library is open.

 

Another activity sponsored by the FOL since its beginnings, sometimes with the financial help of the Library program budget, is programs on various topics of public interest. The FOL has also partnered with the Library and the Oregon Council of Humanities (OCH) for programs offered by scholars and experts through their catalog of speakers.

 

The FOL sponsored a monthly book review program called "Books and Bags." The volunteer reviewers were drawn primarily from participants, though sometimes the chairperson solicited other local people to do book reviews. This program is currently on hiatus.

 

Other ongoing activities of the FOL are making greeting cards for sale at book sale events and in the library;  selling book bags; organizing volunteers to pick up litter on Library grounds. The FOL also provides a "conscience jar" for Library patrons who wish to donate for overdue book returns, even though late fees are not assessed by the Library. Each of these activities is designed to raise or save money for our Library.

 

Both financially and in time, the FOL has supported the attempts of the Library to pass bond measures by providing local voters with information. The FOL has contributed generously to the completed building expansion as well.

 

A major purpose and activity of the FOL is to pay for Library needs that are beyond the Library budget. Some of our contributions and purchases are:

 

• Computers and software, bookshelves, and books

• A motorized cart for disabled patrons

• Financial assistance for paving an adjacent alley

• A lectern, sound system, tables, and chairs for the public room

• Payment of interest on a property loan for a lot to expand parking

• Cleaning the carpet in the public room as needed

• Funding of Library activities such as the Summer Reading Program, and continuing education courses for Library staff

• Yearly contributions to the Book Endowment fund held by WLCF