based on a submission by founding member Terry Syme (June 28, 1997)
On June 11, 1993, a meeting was held at Joan Mitchell and Betty Murray’s home. Anne Brown, Marie McKay, Joan Mitchell, Betty Murray, Linda Rice and Terry Syme attended to discuss what the community could do to save its Library.
Joan and Linda, members of the Library Board at the time, knew of the cutbacks and how they would affect Meaford Library. Joan felt an auxiliary such as Friends of the Library was needed. At this first meeting all were determined to work to keep our Library. A steering committee was formed whose mandate was to inform the community and assemble volunteers to form an auxiliary to be called “ Friends of the Library.”
Jean Fitzpatrick also attended the next meeting on June 18, 1993. A Public Meeting scheduled for the Library the following Thursday, June 24, 1993 drew such interest that it had to be rescheduled at the Town Hall.
About sixty-five people attended the first Public Meeting, chaired by Marie McKay. An executive was established to lead an active and interested group of volunteers to work on the Library’s behalf. Out of that meeting came tremendous support that seemed to change the attitude of the Meaford Council which now realized there was strong public support for the Library and volunteers would actively work to keep it viable.
Our first executive was formed the night of the June 24th meeting:
Jean
Sullivan - President Yvonne Robinson - Vice President
Nath Gibbons - Secretary Jean Fitzpatrick - TreasurerOur next meeting at the Library, we set up the following committees:
Advocacy
- Alison Hyslop Fund Raising - Fran McIvor
and Betty Murray Membership - Terry Syme,
Shirley Docherty, and Anne Brown Publicity - Doris Bovell
Jean Sullivan compiled Friends’ Constitution and By-Laws which had to be ratified by the executive and members before seeking a Charity Number. Granted on September 23, 1993, Friends’ Registration Number for Charitable Institutions was retroactive to July 1, 1993. This enabled Friends to ask for donations and hold fund raising events to save the Library. Friends’ Angel logo was designed by Margo Finley. Now it was down to business to keep the Library open with volunteers, fund raising events and lots of work.
Friends received donations from several service clubs, the National Trust and many individuals. It hosted its first book sale (recycled books) in the National Trust building. Six weekends of the summer of 1993 Friends hosted concerts in the park where bands and individuals gave of their time and people donated to help the Library. The Friends of the Library tried not to let the momentum slow down. Almost every week there was something in the Meaford Express explaining how its fund raising was going, or advertising its sales and concerts. By the end of the summer its activities had generated approximately $7000. Friends was a committed group with one thing in mind - KEEP OUR MEAFORD LIBRARY OPEN.
[details submitted by Terry Syme]
The History of the Friends of the Meaford Library continues:
The founders of the Friends of Meaford Library gave tremendous impetus and energy to this group which continues to be necessary and important. The Library probably would not have survived without their immediate response to crisis. Their fund-raising and volunteer hours of assistance in the Library helped the Meaford Library maintain a level of service that otherwise would have been next to impossible. Nor will the Library continue its present ability to serve and provide up-to-date materials and equipment without all the many volunteers, including most of the “founders”, who continue to work to maintain the founders’ original vision. Also important are the 120 members, some of whom volunteer “on active duty”, others of whom support us through their annual dues and attendance at our many events and all of whom believe in the importance of a well-functioning community Library.
Fund-raising continues today under the energetic direction of Marg Overton, Fund Raising Chairperson. Many of the original ideas [concerts, book sales] continue to provide the solid base for fund-raising through 1997-98. The generosity of retired Judge Ian McKay who provides the Old Net Shed for our book sales at no cost continues to be an important foundation of our fund-raising activities. Many of the original musical artists who donated time and talent to support the Library through the Friends are still making our concerts successful fundraising and community events.
Present success at these events and the generosity of the citizens of the community permit the Friends to supply one-third of the Library’s budget for print materials. [Another way of looking at that figure: the Friends, through community support, add 50% to the Library’s budget.] Additionally, Friends have been able to purchase some much needed up-to-date equipment like the new Laser Printer found in the Junior Library. The work of the Friends has extended beyond fund-raising. To keep the Library and its importance in the public eye, Friends has worked behind the scenes to help host a Library Open House in the Fall and the recent 30th Anniversary of Library’s Trowbridge Street location.
Libraries measure our civilization. They both embody and reflect local culture in a community and are the repositories of the lives and works of those whose ideas have shaped the world we know. Many citizens of Meaford and St. Vincent use Meaford Library on an ongoing basis and depend upon the tranquil oasis of knowledge on Trowbridge St. to enrich their daily lives. In the Meaford-St.Vincent area a Library has existed, in one form or another, since 1854. Friends work together to ensure its continued existence.