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Pictured above are (L) Linda Wing and Judy LaBoda who are members of the Slayton Friends of the Library. The group was organized in January of 2001 and are currently making plans to celebrate their 25 year birthday. -
Slayton Friends of the Library recently donated $500 to Murray County ECI for the purchase of children’s books.
By Norma Dittman Twenty-five years ago, in January of 2001, a number of Slayton citizens decided that a Friends of the Library organization would be beneficial, not only to the local library, but to the community as well.
The benefits of a Friends of the Library group is that they are able to provide assistance such as fundraising, advocacy, volunteerism, and sponsorship of additional events and activities.
Judy LaBoda and Charter Member Linda Wing recently shared history regarding the Slayton Friends of the Library group.
“The City of Slayton was selected to receive a Gates Foundation grant which allowed for a computer lab in the library. Several of us thought that it would be a great addition to our library and took on the challenge of forming and incorporating a Friends of the Library group.”
Paige Reeves, Amy Beerman Rucker, Courtney Tommeraasen and Kelly Muldoon became the first board of directors for the Slayton Friends of the Library. As the grant that spurred the group’s organization was only for computers, there was a need for computer desks and chairs. The newly-formed Friends compiled a letter addressing those needs and sent it to community members and businesses alike.
“The response was very generous and greatly supportive of the needs for the computer lab,” Wing stated.
From that point on, the Slayton Friends of the Library held many fundraising events, such as the much-anticipated Chocolate Affaire that took place for many years close to Valentine’s Day. They hosted concerts in the park, sponsored author visits, antiques road shows and spring teas.
“Over the years, there are many physical items that the Friends have added to the library such as shelves and books,” LaBoda stated. “Recently, we added a Keurig and Culligan drinking water dispenser, which has been a big hit. Many of the high school students come to the library after school hours. They help themselves to the Keurig and the water, and take time to sit together to study and visit. The library is truly a gathering place that keeps people engaged and interacting with others of all ages who are also using library services.”
The Children’s and Teen Areas have also benefited from the Friends’ generosity. When the city recently renovated the library there were many needs identified that the Friends provided.
“The Friends have purchased a Kindle E-Reader that has been a big hit,” Librarian Dwayna Paplow said. “But there are many other benefits of the Friends group for the library. They give us a stable financial base to do projects, and by having a Friends group, we are able to apply for several grants that we wouldn’t be able to apply for without their existence.”
“We are grateful to Dwayna because when she hears of grants or opportunities that are available, she researches those things and brings that information back to us,” LaBoda said.
Current Friends of the Library board members are Judy La-Boda, chair; Colleen Gengler, secretary and Amy Rucker, cochair.
“We are always happy to welcome new members,” LaBoda and Wing stated. “Dues are just $15 for the year for an individual or $30 for a family. If you are interested in joining us, please stop at the library and fill out the membership form.”
Some of the Friends on-going projects are the Book Sales, Kindle E-Reader, the Magazine Exchange in the entryway of the library, the Little Library on Broadway Avenue, and Tonies and Toniebox.
The Friends are currently very excited about their plans for celebrating the 25th birthday of their incorporation.
“Our library is really a welcoming community center that is available to all ages,” LaBoda said. “We like to offer opportunities to everyone and try to maintain a balance so that all can enjoy the library space and its services.”
A visit to the slayton library. org website will aid in researching all of the events, digital resources and in-person services that are available at the Slayton Library. As well, there is a portion of the website set aside for information for the Slayton Friends of the Library.
Please continue to watch for an upcoming announcement regarding the 25 year celebration of this stalwart organization.
