10/26/12 Library staff celebrated the Friends of the Culver-Union Township Public Library at our Annual Friends Luncheon on Tuesday, October 23. Friends were treated to a meal prepared by CUTPL staff and Board members to let the Friends know how much Library co-workers value the Friends presence at the Library and appreciate their efforts on the Library’s behalf.
Town Manager David Schoeff was on hand to read and sign an official Proclamation honoring CUTPL Friends by naming this week as “Friends of the Library Week” here in Culver. The central sentiment of the Proclamation regarding the work of our Friends was expressed when he read these words from this document: “Our libraries are the cornerstones of our communities and [the Friends] gift of time and commitment to the Library sets an example in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community.” The Proclamation closes with a call which “urges everyone to join the Friends of the Library and to thank them for all they do to make our Library and community so much better.” Schoeff then presented the Proclamation to Friends’ President Charlotte Hahn.
Other recently-elected Officers of the CUTPL Friends are Marcia Egan, Vice-President and Cathy Emmons, Treasurer. Friends who were in attendance at the luncheon included Terry Brantingham, Ginger Budzius, Mary Ann Dutt, Marcia Egan, Charlotte Hahn, Jim Hahn, Dianne Johnson, Marge Kearns, Marge Keltner, Janet Kline, Rita Mason, Angie Nelligan, Melanie Robertson, Patty Stallings, Ruth Tamminga and Jo Ann Walsh.
The CUTPL Friends group was founded by in 2005 to enhance the library service provided to the community, according to founder Sandy Wakefield. The list of activities of the CUTPL Friends grows longer each year and highlights from mid-2011 through 2012 include the following: providing ebooks and print books for the Culver Community High School reading club; supporting the children’s summer reading program and the adult winter and summer reading programs; supplying “Books for the Beach” for the second successful year; assisting at the Red Cross Blood Drive held at the library; supplying refreshments for the Holiday Open House and the Rita Lawson Sci-fi collection dedication; conducting several book sales including one just for children; sponsoring card-making classes; purchasing books for our One Book/One County Library reading program; decorating (and un-decorating!) for Christmas; furnishing plantings and maintaining our courtyard and entrance gardens. The Library has also been able to showcase collections of members Ginger Budzius, Mary Ann Dutt, Charlotte Hahn and Angie Nelligan. Busy Friends! Library Director Colleen McCarty noted that “These tasks are important to the operation of the Library, and underlying these activities, the physical presence of the Friends here at CUTPL demonstrates their support of our mission: this certitude provides encouragement and inspiration to the staff. We love our Friends!”
The Proclamation will be prominently displayed in the Library through the end of the month and may be viewed on the Friends section of our web page http://www.culver.lib.in.us/friends.htm where you will also find more information about the Friends and a membership form.
