National Friends of Libraries Week
The New Providence Memorial Library spent the week of October 16 celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the 17th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.
The Friends of the New Providence Memorial Library was formally established as a non-profit organization in 1986 and has raised programming and capital funds for the library every year since then. New Providence community members contribute annually to the Friends each year through monetary donations and volunteer time.
“The library has always played such an important role in my life and in my family’s life,” said Friends President Sangeeta Prasad Benbow. “I am happy to be able to give something back – and being an active member of this group is both rewarding and fun!”
Other officers of the organization are Beth Spiegel, Asst. President, Membership Chair and Art Curator; Alex Klapwald, Treasurer; Marissa Klapwald, Fundraising; Donna Zane, Social Media; Louise Wheeler, Lead Art Curator; Lynn Celler and Denise Moser, Art Curators; Helene Langezaal, At-Large Board member; and Craft Fair Chair Karen Golubieski.
Celebration activities included the 16th annual Craft Fair, the unveiling of the newly-renovated children’s area dollhouse and brand new dollhouse “homeowners” with a miniature ribbon-cutting ceremony by our Mayor Al Morgan, a free music concert by the nationally-touring Hickory Tree Chorus Women’s Acapella group, and a Sumi-e Group of New Jersey Art installation and Artists’ Reception. Sumi-e, or brush painting, is ink and watercolor on rice paper using traditional Chinese or Japanese brushes, emphasizing tones and flow, and valuing simplicity and white spaces in the composition. Fans and ceramic tiles decorated with this technique are in the display cabinet. This art evokes a feeling of calmness and serenity.
“Our library would be very different without the Friends,” said library director Lisa Florio. “The funds they raise provide much of our programming and activities. I think most patrons would be surprised to learn how many of the services and programs they enjoy are supported by the Friends.”
Please contact the library at 908-665-0311 or visit our website at newprovidencelibrary.org to learn more about activities and to find out how to become a member of the Friends. We welcome new volunteers! Stop by the library to get books (of course!) and watch a movie, get a museum pass, attend a concert, or see the latest artwork. Our programming includes arts & crafts events and projects, author events, book clubs, computer language courses, and the yearly Craft Fair – all of which are supported or sponsored by the Friends!
National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit ala.org/united.
The Friends of the New Providence Memorial Library is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and funds, as well as advocate for, the New Providence Memorial Library. The Friends organize free music concerts, support the library’s Museum Pass program, purchase movie licenses, and fund special events and programming for all ages. The Friends curate the art spaces in the library, and we encourage area artists and crafters to inquire about exhibiting their work at npmlcurator@gmail.com, or to fill out our online application form.
