To the editor:
We appreciate your concerns on the status of the Friends of the Wake Forest Library. However, reports on the disbanding of the Friends have been exaggerated. Recent conversations surrounding the mission of the Friends in relation to the Wake County Library system served to clarify our role and strengthen this partnership.
Here are some recent positive impacts the Friends have had on the programs and facility of the Wake Forest Library: To mark the beautiful refurbishment of the branch last June, the Friends hosted a celebration which included take-away goodie bags for the kids, refreshments, magicians and face-painters.
The Friends also enhanced the Wake Forest branch’s children’s reading program with the purchase of a large flat-screen TV, cart, and Apple TV on which to show books and presentations to the kids using an iPad. The connectivity and interactivity provided by this Apple TV configuration greatly enriches the learning experience of the participants.
The Friends purchased a subscription to The New York Times for the branch. In addition, with the support of the community the Friends hosted yet another successful book sale this past fall.
And finally, to show their appreciation the Friends provided a holiday luncheon for the hard-working staff at one of the busiest branches in the county.
To add, the Friends have future plans in cooperation with the Wake Forest Library.
These include enhancing the library’s Super Special monthly programs for children in grades K-5 by providing funding for performers, offering book give-away incentives for the Summer Reading Program, as well as supplementing children’s programming with much needed supplies. And the Friends will be hosting a Wake Forest library birthday celebration in November.
In conclusion, the library staff and administration clearly welcome the support of the Friends while the Friends appreciate the opportunity to be the conduit for all the support that comes from the Wake Forest community. The Friends of the Wake Forest Library will continue to move forward in this important role.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Ross
President, Friends of the Wake Forest Library
Friends membership drive underway
Beginning April 14, Monday, during National Library Week, the Friends of the Wake Forest Library will kick off a membership drive that will run through the end of the month. New and renewing members will be eligible for a drawing for a gift basket. The drawing will be held on May 1. The gift basket will be on display at the library beginning next week.
