Introduction
The Friends of Ashe County Library functions as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, under the leadership of a Board of Directors. In its first year, 1978, the group's four key objectives were to: acquaint the community with local library services, increase the use of the library, sponsor cultural activities, and assist with library finances.
Since 1978, the organization has continued to expand its support of the library. Over the years, it has contributed significantly to the library's programming budget, providing funds for such ongoing activities as Imagination Ashe and the Children's Summer Reading Program. It has also contributed to the purchase of furniture, new shelving, and the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) used for automatic checkout, security, and inventory tracking of books and other materials. And, it helped to fund the library's effort to obtain a permanent record and location of all church, community, and family cemeteries in Ashe, a valuable genealogical tool.
Through its monthly meetings, coordination of book club activities, and participation in local literary events, the Friends helps to enrich the lives of Ashe County residents. And the group is particularly proud of its efforts to introduce the community to writers, photographers, and other artists with ties to the Appalachian Region.
In 2016,the Friends received the Frances B. Reid Award for the West Central Region of the Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries Association. The award represented major recognition for the group's efforts. In 2017, the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary - a testament to its staying power. We thank each of you who has contributed to making Friends successful - by joining, attending our events, and participating in our fundraising efforts. Your involvement has helped us to meet our commitments to the library - we could not have done it without you!
First Friends
We've come a long way since the inception of the Friends of the Ashe County Library in 1978. Take a look at some information we've extracted from 1978 documents - about the first Friends meeting held in April and the first Friends newsletter.
First Friends Meeting
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Ashe County Public Library
Site of 1st Annual Meeting of
Friends of the Ashe County Public Library
April 18, 1978
7:00 PM
Speaker: Ms. Frances Reid
Consultant of the NC State Library, Raleigh, NC
Special Music: Jim Childers1974 Autoharp Champion
President: Edna H. Miller
Vice President: Rachael Sweet
Secretary: Abbie Barber
Treasurer: Mary Allen
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First Newsletter
The first Friends of the Library NEWSLETTER (Vol. 1, No. 1) is dated April 1978.
Greetings to all friends of the Ashe County Public Library. How quickly the year has flown since our present organization was formed and here it is time for our annual meeting. As you know the purpose of the Friends of the Library is to serve as a liaison between the community, the directors and the library staff. Their objectives are to acquaint the community with library services, to increase use of the library, to sponsor cultural activities, and to assist with finances. You are needed to implement these objectives! Be a volunteer. Serve on committees. Accept an office. Share your talents. Offer suggestions. This first NEWSLETTER and the enclosed program of the annual meeting will show how much our present membership has accomplished – just think how much could be done with more members.
Ready for April 18 ??? The first annual meeting will convene April 18, 1978, at 7:30 P.M. in the library lounge for all Friends and interested persons. Business will include yearly reports and election of officers. Miss Frances Reid, Consultant of the North Carolina State Library, will be the featured speaker. Musical selections will be provided by Jim Childers, 1974 World Autoharp Champion. Refreshments will be served.
Special thanks The Friends recognize the outstanding service of the library staff: Jo Canter, Librarian; Joanne Kemp, Assistant Librarian; Clarice Weaver, Children's Librarian; Jack Young, Bookmobile Librarian; Jean Barber, Assistant Bookmobile Librarian; Ruth Robbins, Rosie Bare Caldwell, Marty Testerman, Library Assistants; and Bill Roche, Custodian.
FOL Officers:
President: Mrs. J. Ivan (Edna) Miller
Vice-President: Mrs. Rachel Sweet
Secretary: Ms. Joanne Kemp
Treasurer: Mrs. Mary Allen
1st FOL President, Edna Miller
What Is Our Mission
The overall mission of the Friends of Ashe County Library is to focus public attention on the library by:
- Maintaining an association of persons interested in libraries.
- Stimulating the use of library resources and services.
- Supporting the development of library services.
- Receiving and encouraging gifts, endowments, and bequests to the library.
- Raising funds to support the needs of the library.
- Aiding in the provision of adequate housing and other facilities for the library.
How We Accomplish That Mission
In order to achieve its overall mission, the Friends specifically work to:
- Provide direct financial assistance for the purchase of library items/materials requested by staff.
- Encourage gifts/memorials for the library
- Provide additional financial support through fund-raising activities.
- Encourage NC legislators to support improved funding and library legislation.
- Sponsor programs designed to add to the cultural and intellectual enrichment of the community.
- Aid in public relations by informing the community of library services and programs.
- Recognize staff and the important work they do.
- Provide financial support for staff development.
- Maintain the Friends Corner within the library.
Who We Are
The Board of Directors is composed of elected officers and committee chairs. Members of the Board of Directors for 2017-2019 are listed below, along with their contact information:
Officers
President: Clint Johnson, Phone 336-982-4456, Email clintjohnson@skybest.com
Vice-President: Kathy Chefas, 336-384-4887, Email kchefas@hotmail.com
Secretary: Pam Tapp, 336-982-2021, Email jptapp@skybest.com
Treasurer: Marshall Boyer, Phone 336-246-0101, Email triplebogey25@yahoo.com
Committee Chairs
Archives/History: David Chiswell, 336-846-2424, Email dbchiswell1@gmail.com
FOL Sales: Marcia Rowe, Phone 336-219-0128, Email whiteowl7mr@hotmail.com
Fundraising: Gladys June "Chickie" Olsen, Phone 336-982-5886, Email gladysjune@AOL.com
Meeting Hospitality: Marcia Ambrose, Phone336-877-1301, Email marcialambrose723@gmail.com
Membership: Karen Gross, Phone 336-982-2100, Email karengross@skybest.com
Publicity: Janet Pittard, Phone 919-971-4438, Email jpittard1@nc.rr.com
Special Events: Carolyn Andreucci, Phone 336-877-9038, Email mrscda@yahoo.com
Volunteer: Karen Moll, Phone 336-384-4255, Email kandr@skybest.com
Immediate Past President: Karen Moll, Phone 336-384-4255, Email kandr@skybest.com (required by By-Laws)