Hope you’ve had a great fall and are almost ready for the holidays! For the last Friends update of 2023 we have several items of interest.
- We would like to compile a calendar of all Friends book sales (and other fundraisers) across the state for our website so we can help with publicity. Please email me (wayneonkst@fuse.net) your schedule of fundraisers for 2024 so we can put them on the calendar.
- The Friends of Kentucky Libraries has had a great year. We’ve provided grants of $500 to Friends groups, started several new Friends groups and we are working with groups in a number of additional counties, provided technical assistance for a number of Friends groups, provided information about proposed legislation, and held a great annual meeting in Bowling Green. If you would like to help support us in this work, we encourage you to join the Friends of Kentucky Libraries as a chapter or an individual for 2024 if you haven’t already done so. Dues are very reasonable, but they help us offer service for Friends across the state. Membership info is at friendsofkylibraries.org
- Early in 2024 – as soon as we know something – we will be getting information to you about proposed legislation in the Kentucky Legislature that will affect public libraries. The Legislature has changed the rules this year so we cannot see proposed legislation prior to the session. The Public Library Legislative Committee has heard rumblings to expect legislation that would relate to public library collections. We will be watching closely and let you know if contact with legislators is necessary.
- Many of you may remember Heather Henson who was the speaker at our annual meeting in 2022. She is a former trustee of the Boyle County Public Library, Managing Director of Pioneer Playhouse, and author of That Book Woman (a children’s book about the pack horse librarians). Heather has written a stage adaptation of That Book Woman that will premier during the 75th summer season at the Pioneer Playhouse in Danville July 2-20. She emailed me that this play “is basically a love letter to the work all librarians do!” If you or your Friends group might be interested in going to Danville in July to see “That Book Woman” please let me know.
- In January, Louise Canter will become our new President of the Friends of Kentucky Libraries. Louise has been a librarian, library trustee, advocate and Friend in several states. She has been working to advance Kentucky libraries for many years and she is going to make a wonderful President for us. It has been a pleasure for me to serve as President for the past few years. I know you will join me in offering to help her in any way we can for the betterment of our libraries. She has a great board to work with: Paula Franklin (Vice-President), Manoj Shankar (Treasurer), Rose Booth (Secretary), Christie Robinson, Eunice Murphy, Patti Jensen, Mary Lynn Collins, Janet Meyer, Jill Hoskins, Barbara Brand, Kathy Svoboda, Catherine Ruby, Lisa Rice, Simon Boes, Rebecca Kristen, and Patty Jones.
- If someone else in your Friends chapter should be getting this message or if you have questions about any of this, please let me know.
Thanks so much for all you do for your library and your Friends group. Our libraries are better because of your work.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and healthy and happy 2024!
Wayne Onkst
The Friends of Kentucky Libraries is a nonprofit organization made up of individuals and local Friends chapters and local boards of trustees who support and celebrate Kentucky’s libraries.
We are…
– a network of library supporters from across the state sharing ideas and news
– a source of assistance for creating or revitalizing your local Friends of the Library Chapter
– a unified voice to advocate for your library and all Kentucky Libraries
Join or Renew your membership – Click here!
Friends of Kentucky Libraries, PSA from Michael Breeding MEDIA on Vimeo.
A Note from FoKL President, Wayne Onkst
We have a great Friends of Kentucky Libraries Board that I’ve enjoyed working with. But our by-laws require that we rotate off the board after 2 terms. We have several board members that will be rotating off soon and we are looking for nominees for these positions and for officers on the board. This is a great way to support Friends across the state. I know many of you have great ideas that will help us better support our libraries. Almost all our activities are by zoom so you don’t have to travel to participate. If you have an interest – or possibly there is a member of your Friends group that you would like to nominate, we would love to talk to you. Please let me know so we can continue and build on the good work we have done!
If you have any questions or thoughts about these items, please let me know. Thanks for all your work for the Friends and our libraries.
Wayne Onkst
President, Friends of Kentucky Libraries
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