March 2010

Feature Stories

Library Volunteers and Friends Groups

State Librarian's Report

Friends. The dictionary defines a friend as “a person on the same side in a struggle, a close acquaintance, a supporter”. Just as we, as individuals, rely on friends to celebrate the good times and support us in the bad, so too do libraries. Friends groups play an important and vital role in supporting the library, its programs, and the community. Friends organizations provide matching funds for grants, supply financial and human-resource support for programs, organize booksales, run cafes, and act as key resources during levy campaigns. Many of their revenue-generating ideas are innovative and out of the box.

This issue of The News celebrates the role Friends play in libraries across Ohio. It also illustrates the diverse programs and activities undertaken by Friends groups, from the Cleveland State University Michael Swartz Library Friends Group, which hosts an Annual Scholars and Artists Reception, to books being given to all newborn babies at the Wood County Hospital and to clients of the Children’s Resource Center in Bowling Green, sponsored by the Wood County District Library Friends.

Also featured is an article paying tribute to the Friends of the Shaker Library which received the Ohio Library Council’s Friend of the Year Award in 2009. (To find out more about the OLC Friends Membership or how to nominate your Friends Group for the Friend of the Year Award go to http://www.olc.org)

Perhaps Anne Lowery, Director of New London Public Library, expresses it best, “In these difficult financial times, the Friends have stepped up ….. This small group of dedicated patrons helps make us shine.” Now more than ever, we all need friends and we need to say how much we appreciate our friends. Through this issue of NEWS we say thank you to all of the Friends organizations and volunteers across the state.

Missy Lodge
Interim State Librarian of Ohio

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