Introduction to the Friends
Who are the Friends?
The Friends of the Jones Library System is a non-profit organization run by a group of volunteers and supporters. We help raise money for special programs and items that are not covered by the Library's annual budget.
How can you help?
By joining the Friends! Your membership contributions go directly to fund programs and resources for our Town libraries. It's money well spent!
Letter from the President
October 6, 2011
Dear Friends of the Jones Library System,
Thank you. Thank you for your support of the Friends of the Jones Library System and the Town of Amherst's libraries. Your generous contributions had direct results over the past year:
Programs. The donations of Friends like you benefit the entire community and make possible the following: new materials and books ($18,000); diverse workshops and programs such as Chess Club, art series, Community Sing, Sing With Your Baby ($3800); jubilat/Jones poetry series, bringing nationally recognized poets to Amherst ($2150); and various museum passes ($1685).
Events. It's not just cultural and reading programs that the Friends help support. We hosted a retirement party for the community to celebrate the work of outgoing Jones Library Director Bonnie Isman. Members of the Friends also participated in the search this summer for a new Director of the Jones Library. And the Friends supplied edible treats for the Emily Dickinson Museum's "Emily Dickinson Big Read" series held at the Jones.
Woodbury Gift. The Friends have been working hard to honor the gift of Richard and Nathalie Woodbury. As a first step, a "Woodbury Room" committee has proposed refurbishing and renaming the library's Large Meeting Room and we hope to get project approval from the Trustees soon.
Annual Members' Meeting. Please join us for our annual members' meeting on Tuesday November 1, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the Trustee Room at the Jones. At the meeting, we will share programming and fundraising ideas and vote on current and new Board members. Plan to stay after the meeting for a welcome reception (with desserts!) for incoming Jones Library Director Sharon Sharry from 7-8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room. We hope to see you there.
Fundraising Events. We have two major fundraising events each year: the Valentine Basket auction and the Beds for Books exchange. Both programs need volunteers like you to continue running. If you would like to help out with the Valentine Basket auction, please call or email Angela Mills at 413-253-8920 or pavs4all@yahoo.com. If you can offer a room for the Beds for Books program, please call or email Sandra Mullin at 413.549.0058 or sandracmullin@gmail.com. Can you help?
We Need Your Financial Support. We are now asking for your generous fiscal support again this year to the Friends. There is no doubt that 2012 will be a challenging fiscal year once more for many Amherst residents as well as for our libraries. A gift to the Friends of the Jones is a gift that makes Amherst a better place in so many ways.
Sincerely,
Lucy McMurrer, President
Friends of the Jones Library System