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Friends of the Library embrace spirit of giving to community
By HARLAN WEIKLE
| Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 |
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INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – The residents of Indian Rocks Beach received a generous gift Nov. 20, just in time for the holidays.
Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization of volunteers, gave the city and its citizens a check for $10,000 to pay for new equipment and upgrade the facilities of the city library. The library next to City Hall has long been an all volunteer organization serving the residents as well as visitors to the beach community.
Last year following a hard-fought campaign, the city agreed to hire full time professional librarian Jane Mitchell.
“It has been a wonderful experience having Jane here,” said Louise LaSala, a longtime volunteer and board member of the library. “Not an hour goes by any day that someone here isn’t helped by Jane.”
LaSala, who serves as the group’s treasurer, said the Friends have to date handed over $10,000 to the city which will be used to purchase six new Dell computers as well as interior signs, which are much needed in order to direct patrons to the various sections within the library. In addition the monies will pay for new carpeting, a scanner and sundry office supplies.
LaSala remarked that the new computers, which are due to arrive by Dec. 2 are intended to replace five outdated machines.
“Visitors use the computers quite a bit,” she said. “A lot of people use them to download boarding passes.”
In addition to purchasing the computers and other items for the library, the Friends have begun reimbursing Indian Rocks Beach residents $50 toward their $100 fee for membership in the Largo Library co-op.
“In fact I’m just issuing the first checks now,” LaSala said.
In the past the city has picked up the cost, but going forward the Friends will pay it, LaSala explained.
Citing the Friends’ treasury as “healthy”, the treasurer said they have been investing in CDs and now plan on partnering with other groups in the city. One of the first organizations the friends have allied with is the IRB Homeowners Association to participate in a holiday toy drive.
In six months LaSala estimates the Indian Rocks Beach Library has served between 5,000 and 6,000 patrons. The library can be reached at 596-1822.
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Article published on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008
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