The Friends of the Lynnfield Library held their annual meeting on Monday, May 12 on the Library mezzanine.  The first half-hour was reserved for refreshments, followed by the business meeting.  Treasurer Linda Burns commenced with financial reports covering Fiscal Year 2013 and the first three quarters of Fiscal Year 2014.

Library Director Nancy Ryan then provided the Friends with an update on the Library’s five-year Long Range Plan, emphasizing visual enhancements to the building, implementation of services supporting current technologies such as eReaders, and the addition of two exciting new children’s programs—Afternoon Art Explorers Club and Singing and Signing.  Nancy emphasized the Friends’ involvement in developing the Library’s eBook collection, stating that, “The growth of the eBook and downloadable audiobook collection was supported by a generous donation from the Friends through their annual membership appeal.”  Other developments discussed include the new design of the Library’s webpage and a progress report on our community read, Lynnfield Reads Together! In closing, Nancy noted that Janine Saldanha will be completing her two years as Friends’ President on June 30, 2014.  Nancy praised her as an “energetic and dynamic leader with vision who has expanded the possibilities for the Board and the Friends’ membership.”

Janine Saldanha proceeded the meeting by summarizing the event-filled year, starting with the Volunteer Reception on June 27, 2013 and ending with the upcoming Otto’s pizza fundraiser on June 9, 2014.  Janine impressed upon the audience how necessary the Friends are to the Library, and implored current members to encourage others to join.  This year, the Friends raised enough money to continue to support library programs and services, including guest lectures, museum passes, library publications, eBook and eAudiobook purchasing, and more!  Janine thanked all the Board members for their efforts and “enthusiasm and can-do spirit”.

After the Friends book sale takes place this week, the Otto’s Pizza fundraiser will be coming up rapidly on its heels.  Come on over to MarketStreet and drop into Otto’s between 5-9 p.m. on Monday, June 9.  The Friends will receive a healthy “slice of the pie” whether diners eat in or take out.  Enjoy some out-of-this-world pizza, and help the Friends of the Library at the same time.  No voucher is required.  We look forward to seeing you there.

The Friends of the Lynnfield Library Annual Meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, 2014.  Join us in the library mezzanine at 7:00 p.m. for refreshments, followed by a business meeting at 7:30 p.m.   The Friends will be electing its board officers for FY 2015.

Everyone is welcome!   Friends’ members are encouraged to bring a friend and have them join our organization.   Come and hear the recap of our year and assist us in planning for the future.

Finally, don’t forget our next event.   Be sure to come to browse and buy at our spring book sale on May 17, 2014 on the Common from 9 a.m. to 1 pm.

 

The Executive Board of the Friends of the Lynnfield Library would like to take this opportunity to weigh in on a topic that is important to us and to the town.

Briefly, the Lynnfield Library applied for state funds in January 2014 to study its current and future needs.  If the library is awarded this grant, the town will be able to go ahead with the study at no cost to the town–the library already has the required local matching funds.

The grant vote will take the form of one article – Article 18 – on the April 28 Town Meeting warrant.  The residents will be asked to approve the Board of Library Trustees to proceed with a feasibility study that will take a look at the options of expanding the current Library, or building a new one.  Secondly, town meeting attendees will be asked to authorize the Board of Trustees to “apply for, accept and expend” any state funds that are available for a planning and design grant.

As the Board of the Friends, we know that the library is an integral part of town services.  It is a wonderful resource for all residents and is part of what makes Lynnfield a great community.  And regardless of what path the Town of Lynnfield pursues, the town and the Library need to be in a position to plan for the future.  Voting “YES” on Article 18 will position the town to move forward in the most appropriate manner.

Please come to the town meeting on April 28 and stay as long as it takes for this grant to come up for consideration.  We cannot over-emphasize how cost effective a method this is to plan for the Library’s future.  We are so fortunate to be in a position to accept this state funding!

Thanks in advance for the support of all the residents who attend the town meeting on the Library’s behalf.

The Friends of the Lynnfield Library invite you to a fundraiser at the 99 Restaurant, 317 Salem Street, Lynnfield on Monday, April 7 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The 99 Restaurant will donate 15% of your guest check to the Friends of the Lynnfield Library. You can participate in three ways: dine in the restaurant, do take-out or purchase a gift card.  You can also participate in our raffle and win great prizes! Present your voucher at the beginning of the meal or when you purchase a gift card in order to ensure the Friends’ benefit. You can pick up a voucher at the Library Friends’ table or click here to link to a printable voucher.

The Friends is a non-profit organization that supports the many programs and activities of the Library both financially and through hundreds of volunteer hours each year. We look forward to seeing you at the 99 on Monday, April 7!

For more information, please email Elaine Moorman at e.moorman@verizon.net

Kings, an upscale bowling and entertainment facility, held its grand opening gala at Market Street in Lynnfield on October 29, 2013.  And because Kings believes in supporting its community and neighbors through ongoing charitable efforts, it arranged for the proceeds of the event to benefit seven Lynnfield charities.   One of these charities was the Friends of the Lynnfield Library!

The Friends also participated in the live and silent auctions held at Kings.  Among our sensational auction items up for grabs were Celtics tickets, a Doug Flutie print and a basket of upscale items (including a Davios gift card and Godiva chocolates).   For the live auction, our grand offering was a week at Mashpee on the Cape.

Later Library Director Nancy Ryan took the opportunity to provide “a big thanks to Janine Saldanha, Friends President, and her ‘assistants’ for their ideas and the great amount of time spent on picking up the donations, and arranging and packaging them for the gala.”

The staff at Kings was very accomodating, going out of its way to make everyone feel welcome.  The delicious beverages and distinctive hors d’oeuvres were presented in an exquisite manner.  Many of us will be tempted to return and indulge ourselves in the near future.

The gala raised over $2,000 for the Friends of the Library, and it will be spent on a wide variety of items benefiting the library.  Library Trustee Faith Honor-Coakley commented that, “Clearly this was a tremendous success involving the creativity and generosity of many people.  Congratulations to all who were involved.”  Finally, a special thanks goes to Lynnfield Board of Selectman, Phil Crawford, for suggesting our inclusion in the event.

 

 

The Friends of the Lynnfield Library held their annual Fall Book Sale on October 18 and 19 at the Meeting House.   Thanks to everyone involved in the sale for their hard work – from sorters and packers, movers and sellers and to the library staff for their continued support!   And we came close to record-breaking total proceeds.  Treasurer Linda Burns remarked on the “great team work” required to make all this happen.

The team included workers of all ages, including some youngsters who have participated for several years.

Customers enjoyed browsing the wonderful selections available in fiction, and non-fiction covering such subjects as cooking, history, travel, memoirs, and crafts.  There were fitting choices for everyone!

The upper floor of the building was dedicated to children’s items.  Many children and their parents visited this space and added to their own libraries!

We’re all looking forward to next year’s sale and the continued success of the Friends in raising funds for the library.

 

 

The Friends of the Lynnfield Library and Library Trustees held a joint potluck dinner on October 8, 2013 at the Meeting House.  The meeting’s purpose was to continue the emphasis on cooperation in accomplishing mutual goals.  The Friends and Trustees have a particularly close relationship in Lynnfield, benefiting both groups in their efforts to improve the Lynnfield Library.  In addition to business issues, we discussed our common interest in books and their contribution to society.

The group dined on a fine selection of food including cheese, lasagna, meatballs, a native Indian dish and a lovely pumpkin pie for dessert.  Many thanks to Karin Round for coordinating the effort!

 

You’re invited to participate in a fantastic evening of food, fun and giving back on October 29, 2013 from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm at the new Kings entertainment complex in Lynnfield!

Kings believes in supporting its community and neighbors through ongoing charitable efforts.  The proceeds of this grand opening will benefit seven Lynnfield charities – including the Friends of the Lynnfield Library.  All seven charities will share equally in the ticket sales so you don’t have to choose your favorite and can support them all!    Tickets prices are $35 for one, $55 for two, and $100 for a Family Four Pack.  This includes a hosted bar, sumptuous appetizers, complimentary bowling, billiards, bocce ball and live entertainment.  Each charity will contribute items for live and silent auctions. The Friends are donating a one-week rental at Mashpee on Cape Cod, a pair of Celtic tickets and a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 tablet!  All auction proceeds go to the donating charity!

Please RSVP at http://www.KingsCaresRSVP.com for an approximate headcount.  Payment must be made at the door in either cash or check only.  Cash is preferred.   Space is limited and registering online does not guarantee admittance so come early and stay late.  We’re looking forward to seeing you there!  Please note that all guests must be at least 10 years of age. Kings is located at 510 Market Street, Lynnfield, MA.