Library Group Seeks New Board Member
The Friends of the Jacksonville Library (JFOL) is seeking a new board member to fill a vacant volunteer position with the group. President Joan Avery says, “The purpose of our group is to endorse literacy and learning by supporting the mission of the Jackson County Library.”
You might recognize many of the current board members around town or spot them during one of the twice-yearly book sales at the library’s Naversen Room. “Our priority is to raise funds so that our library is open four hours each Saturday in addition to the sixteen hours a week the county provides,” Avery notes.
Since the Jacksonville branch is a part of the countywide system, this means residents have access to material anywhere in the county as well as the advantages of centralized purchasing and processing which reduces overall cost. Underscoring the importance of the work the JFOL does, Avery adds, “It also means that if the library system is closed due to budget constraints, everyone from babies to seniors will no longer have access to a building that provides a major source of information and pleasure, as well as losing a major community gathering place, the Naversen Room.”
Candidates for the JFOL board should expect to meet once a month, except during the summer months. The group meets for about an hour each time in the Naversen Room at the library.
Avery, a retired librarian from Los Angeles is quick to note, “Board members don’t need professional library experience…they only need to care about libraries and their importance to the community. New members should be willing to help with our Book Sales and programs and have ideas about how to make Jacksonville residents aware that the library of today is more than books. They do need to be readers.”
Whomever steps-up to fill the vacant seat with join Avery and Annette McGregor, Vice-President, Bruce Garrett, Treasurer, April Bower, Secretary, Gus Hughbanks, who took over sorting and transporting books for the Book Sales, and former City Councilor Donna Schatz, who has been involved since the library was built.
Interested candidates are urged to contact Joan Avery at 541-702-2114 or via email at mailjoanavery@charter.net.