Friday, September 27, 2013

Pre-Opening Party

Almost ready for opening!  The moving back process has begun.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013
4:00-7:00pm

Meet us in the new Community Room, 250 Chestnut Street
for 
Refreshments,
Socializing with Friends

Celebrating our 30thAnniversary!
Founded in 1983, the Friends group has provided significant support for the Library. 
In fall 2013, for the first time in the history of this volunteer-run nonprofit organization,
we will have a space of our own, a small dedicated workroom/office
 in the basement of the renovated library.  
We look forward to this new era!

At 5:30pm, we'll introduce Friends Board Members
 and then convene our first meeting in the new space. 
Join us and learn about plans for the coming year.

Our Board meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month, 5:30-7:00pmAll current and prospective Friends are welcome to attend these meetings. Mark your calendars for Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, 2013 and Jan. 8, 2014, Feb. 12, Mar.12, Apr. 9, May 14, and Jun 11. Come early on October 9 for our Anniversary Party!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Meetings of Friends Board

The Friends board meets once a month, on the second Wednesday, 5:30-7pm.

TODAY's meeting, September 11, will be at Career Point, 850 Main St, Holyoke.

All future meetings will be at the newly renovated/expanded Library, 250 Chestnut Street. Hooray! Plan to come early on October 9th.  We'll arrange tours of the NEW spaces!  


As you can see from this photo of the new Children's Room taken yesterday (Sept 10), the library is almost -- but not quite -- ready for use. The building has been built. Walls have been painted, and floors carpeted. Shelving is being erected.  In the distance is the children's activity room, with colorful walls.

Wonderful progress!   But the Library is not yet ready to open; no books can be moved in until the Fire inspector finishes an inspection, and a few other steps are completed.  Exact re-opening date still unknowable...

Monday, September 2, 2013

Friends T-shirts at Block Party


Friends President Tim Damon waved a friendly greeting from the Friends table at the 5th annual Great Holyoke Block Party, Saturday August 31, 2013.  He and Karlene Shea, above, and other Friends volunteers staffing the table during that afternoon wore the green "Friends of the Holyoke Public Library" t-shirts.

Even the bear wore a t-shirt, helping us promote the library and the Friends.

For the first time, we began offering these shirts for sale. Last year, when Christine Alger ordered these shirts for board members and volunteers, she acquired extras in various sizes. We decided to sell these extras @ $15 each and, if demand warrants, re-order a supply to sell along with our other fund-raising merchandise (e.g., the holiday ornaments, and the Holyoke afghan). 

The logo on the shirt was designed by Donna DiCarlo of DiCarlo Studios in Holyoke, closely matching the logo she designed for the new Library. The shirts are 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Sizes S, M, L, XL, and 2XL.  

Here's Dick Coleman (above), long-time Friend of the Library, sporting his new shirt.  And Michael Baron wore one as he helped staff the Library's table at the Block Party:


Many people came to these library tables and gathered information, especially about the NEW library. The construction phase has finished; the moving-in phase is just beginning.  Excitement is high as we eagerly await the re-opening, expected in one month.


Meanwhile, we had a good time at the Block Party. We sold t-shirts and hopefully made some new friends as well.  Karlene, Tim, and Brittney packed up the tent at the end of the afternoon.  For more photos of the Block Party, see Sandy Ward's album,  the Facebook event page, and MassLive photo gallery.