It’s been a year of unprecedented growth and great success for the Friends of the Addison Township Public Library.
Good news abounded at the Friends? second annual general membership meeting Thursday.
Friends President Claudia Von Drak was pleased to report the group’s membership has risen from 60 to 109 members since last October.
‘This tells us there’s very strong support in this community for our library,? she said.
The Friends annual Plant Exchange and Garden Workshop in May and book sale at the Strawberry Festival in July were responsible for much of the membership growth, according to Von Drak.
Member participation in Friends? events and programs saw a ‘tremendous increase? as well.
‘We have a lot of people out there willing to roll up their sleeves,? Von Drak said.
Von Drak was also proud to report the Friends were able to contribute $500 toward the start of a ‘books on CD? program at the library.
The Friends group is currently in the process of helping the library establish a book delivery program for homebound individuals such as senior citizens, people recently hospitalized and stay-at-home moms with no means of transportation.
‘You’ll be hearing more about this in the future,? she said. ‘We’re real excited about it.?
In July, the Friends officially became a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, which means contributions to the group can be tax deductible.
The organization is presently in the process of joining a statewide network of library Friends groups.
‘We’ve come a long way in the last two years since we reformed. We’ve established this organization as a viable contributor to the community,? she said.
A new slate of board officers was elected to lead the Addison Friends in 2005.
Linda Hodges was elected president and Sharon Campbell elected vice-president. Sue DuBois will serve as treasurer, while Joyce Thomas will fill the role of secretary.
Marcy James was selected as ‘Membership Chair,? while Marva Casadi, Gerald Galea, Brandon Galbraith and Claudia Von Drak were elected to the board as members-at-large.