79.6 F
Cruz Bay
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesLibrary Friends Seek More Members

Library Friends Seek More Members

Marsha Herron, treasurer of the Friends of the St. Croix Libraries, discusses finances.The Friends of the St. Croix Libraries are looking for members so the group can do more for the local libraries and community.

The nine members attending the monthly meeting Saturday at the Carambola Golf Club overlooking the 10th hole were each armed with a membership application and asked to recruit a new member. The current membership is at 27; just a couple of years ago the friends had 65 members.

“Our numbers have decreased drastically recently,” said Zoraida Jacobs, longtime member and past secretary. “We must bring up our numbers to make a difference.” Jacobs is in charge of open mike poetry readings.

The circle of friends membership committee plans on working to increase membership at library events during National Library Card Sign Up month in September, Jump Up in November, and Christmas Spoken Here at St. George Village Botanical Garden in December.

“Our goal is to increase membership at all upcoming local events so we can continue to support literacy and the love of reading,” said Gail Ryniak, president of the friends.

The Friends of the Library helps with of literacy programs and library activities. They hold book sales, summer reading programs for children, exhibits, and lectures by local experts on matters of regional interest.

At Saturday’s meeting the group decided to draft a letter, and if approved by members, send it to Robert Mathes, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The library falls under that department’s jurisdiction. Among concerns to be mentioned in the letter are are lack of adequate staff for the libraries, the Sunny Isle branch and book mobile, copy machines and other equipment.

The group’s annual membership fee ranges from $3 for students, $20 for families and $100 for corporations. All fees go to help support library activities.

The meeting itself had some initial success as three new members were added to the group, on the spot.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 11 at the Athalie Petersen library in Frederiksted.

Further information is available by calling Ryniak at 277-7679.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.