I want to update you following our annual meeting on Oct. 29 and add a few action items.  For many of you who were there, this will be a recap.  Thanks much to those who attended and participated!  Based on the evaluations, I think we had a very successful meeting – finally being able to meet in person after 3 years!  I want to especially thank and recognize those who sponsored the program: Elaine Wilson, Baird & Co., KPC Architectural Services, and Codell Construction Co.

Most of the day was taken in discussion among Friends representing 15 different chapters from around the state.  We exchanged ideas and discussed common concerns.  We also conducted some business and honored outstanding Friends and an outstanding chapter.  The Friends of the Casey County Public Library were honored as the Outstanding Friends Chapter for 2022.  Since we hadn’t honored any Friends since 2019, Outstanding Friends awards were presented to: Sandy Cummins (Warren Co. Friends); James Moore (Boyle Co. Friends), and Brenda Sayler (Grayson Co. Friends).

Grants of $500 were awarded to the Friends in Casey County, Taylor County, Lexington, Madison County, and McCracken County.

Officers elected for next year include:

President – Wayne Onkst

Vice President – Louise Canter

Treasurer –  Susie Lawrence 

Secretary – Rose Booth 

For 3 year terms on the board:

Christie Robinson (Scott Co.)

Paula Franklin (McCracken Co.)

Patti Jensen (Casey Co.)

Susan Eubank (Oldham Co.)

Mary Lynn Collins (Franklin Co.)

(Continuing terms on the board for 2023: Susie Lawrence, Pat Thomas, Janet Meyer, Eunice Murphy, Rose Booth, Louise Canter)

Thanks so much to Pat Thomas who served as Treasurer and Jennifer Kaminski who served as Secretary during the past year. Thanks also to Jim Weiss, Lois Schultz, Elaine Wilson, and Jennifer Kaminski who completed service on the board.

Action items:

1. If these updates should be going to someone else in your Friends group, please let me know.

2. If you have comments about the recent annual meeting or want to make suggestions about future meetings, please email them.

3. We need additional volunteers for our committees next year which include: advocacy, annual meeting, awards, communications, mentoring, membership, and nominating. If you have interest in these areas, please let me know.

Best of luck as you wrap up Friends activities for 2022 and look forward to 2023! With the recent changes in Kentucky law regarding public library governance, Friends are going to more important than ever before!

Wayne Onkst

Friends of Kentucky Libraries