On Nov. 7, the Board of Directors of the Friends of the James V. Brown Library hosted all of the library and Friends' volunteers at a Recognition Reception in the Lowry Theatre of the Welch Library Wing.
Nearly 60 volunteers attended the event.
Tricia Shipman, president of the board, introduced the various aspects of the evening. Harold Hershberger, president of the Board of Trustees, conveyed that board's appreciation for the many volunteers without whom the library could not survive as well as it does.
Article Photos
RASHELLE CAREY/Sun-Gazette
The James V. Brown Library recently honored its volunteers during their annual tea in the third floor of the Welch Wing. Above, Nina Edgerton, youth services coordinator, reads a book to the volunteers to thank them for their service to the community and James V. Brown library.
Barbara McGary, library director, thanked the staff with whom the volunteers work. She pointed out that the volunteers are the best voice that the library has in the community.
Past president and long-time board member and volunteer Margie Shaw then talked briefly about one of the founding members of the Friends of the JVB, Freddie Kisberg, who recently passed away.
Shipman then introduced the department heads who introduced their own teams of volunteers. Those volunteer opportunities are the Literacy program, BRAVO (folks who deliver books to shut-ins), general library volunteers who re-shelve books and help visitors find the areas where their interests are, Bookmobile and StoryMobile helpers, and Senior Net.
Then the many Friends of the Library volunteers were introduced. The opportunities these folks have, as they work tirelessly to raise extra funding for the library, are working the twice a year book sales, manning the bookstore (Friends Favorites Gently Used Books), sorting all the book donations to go to either the store or the sale, and hosting Book Review Luncheons on the first Friday of each month from October to June.
Besty Madsen was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for her tireless work as book sorting chairwoman and organizer, and for her role on the membership committee as membership statistician.
As sorting chairwoman, she has overseen the sorting of tons of books into store, sale or not sellable. She then, with a small team of helpers, organizes them onto shelves for the store or boxes for the sale. As membership statistician, she keeps track of more than 460 members and their volunteer interests. She has been on the board for four years.
The Carile Brown Award is being shared this year by two long-time Friends and board members.
Nancy Lady is a community volunteer in many areas. Her love for the library is obvious when you count the times that she is seen within the walls of the library. Her commitments have included being board secretary a number of times, mentor and guide to many new board members, book store volunteer, and liaison between the Friends and Pine Street Church.
Lady also is "Mailing Crew Chairman." She organizes a group of volunteer who stuff many of the mailings that go out from the library. The latest mailing event involved 13 volunteers who stuffed four items in each of the more than 4,000 envelopes mailed to donors.
Maria Gustafson also received the award, which is given to someone whose constant commitment to the library and the community reflects the ideals of the founders James and Carile Brown. Gustafson, like Lady, has been a board member for many years. She served as treasurer for at least 10 years, has been involved in the sorting process for many years, is a Senior Net tutor, book store volunteer, book sale volunteer recruiter and a constant presence at the sales. She serves on the Book Review Luncheon Committee, helping with both lunch and programs.
Each of the three honorees received framed plaques and a book of their choosing added to the library. The Carile Brown Honorees will have their names added to the large plaque in the Vintage Library lobby.
The next Friends of the Library event will be the annual membership meeting at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 4.
