Loving everything library
From left, Helene Deissner, Dick Smith, Karol Henrotte and Claire Bouchard are some of the Friends of the Library who are celebrating its 20th anniversary.
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Updated: November 03, 2009 9:17 AM
Karol Henrott's first introduction to the library was love at first sight.
She loves reading, loves strolling through the stacks, loves having all kinds of books at her fingertips. But when she was just a kid, growing up in a small, farm town in rural Saskatchewan, where she attended a one-room school, "libraries were unheard of," she said.
When she walked through the doors of her first library, her eyes lit up like Christmas trees. It was heaven.
"The world just opens up when you read," said Henrott, vice president of Friends of the Chilliwack Library.
Friends is Henrott's opportunity to open up that world for thousands of others.
This week Friends of the Chilliwack Library is celebrating 20 years.
In that 20 years, the group has raised well over $75,000 to support the library and make it as successful as possible. It's purchased such things as directional arrows, rugs, book bins, trolleys, digital projector, wireless sound system, an assortment of books, and so much more.
"These are things that are needed on a daily basis for the library to function," said Claire Bouchard, president of Friends. "It's important for the staff to have this stuff."
But a lot of the time, there isn't enough funding in the library's budget to purchase the items on its own.
That's where Friends steps in.
Friends was formed in 1989 because of minimal government funding. A handful of citizens were concerned that the library would not thrive under the budget it was given.
"We believed in what a bargain this operation [the library] truly was," said Dick Smith, one of the founding members. "And any way we could raise funds for the enrichment of the library experience, for matters outside the branch's budget, we were going to do."
The library has once again found itself in a similar such funding crunch these days as it did back then.
The Fraser Valley Regional Library was notified in the summer that it would be losing $1.7 million in provincial grants – in addition to the 22 per cent cut in government funding.
"Here we are 20 years later with the same concerns, and facing government grants cuts," said Bouchard.
But with fundraising initiatives, including the book sales, puzzle sales, quiz night, teas and raffles, programs like Books for B.C. Babies, Summer Reading Club and All Aboard for Kindergarten could very well be saved.
So far this year, Friends has raised approximately $8,000, with $1,700 alone coming in from Quiz Night held earlier this month.
The more money the organization can rake in, the better it is for the library – and for the community.
Not only does Friends purchase items off the library staff's "wish list," it also creates awareness of what's going on in the library and what is desperately needed for the library.
"A lot of people don't realize what the library has to offer," said Bouchard.
There's a kids zone and a teen zone; newspaper archives; books on CDs; Internet access; author visits; book club; and an assortment of other activities and programs.
"There's something for everyone here," said Bouchard. "You just have to come in and look."
And for the Friends, they get the satisfaction of knowing they're helping their fellow book-loving friends.
Friends of the Chilliwack Library is always seeking new members. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month.
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Friends is celebrating 20 years in the library from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Harpist Natalie TeBrinke will provide music. Photos of the past 20 years will also be on display. A raffle draw will be held, and tea, coffee and cake will be served.
Everyone is welcomed.
kbartel@theprogress.com
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