Marshall 5^th Graders participated in the Heifer International Read to Feed program to benefit families in other parts of the world in response to a challenge by the Friends of Marshall Public Library.  The Friends agreed to donate up to $500 to Heifer International for the animals the students would earn by reading, at one dollar for each book read.Sixty-three students read the required six books in six weeks.  Those students later attended a reward program at Marshall Public Library where they saw a presentation about people and conditions in the Congo by Paul Robinson who had traveled there.  The students then voted on the combination of animals they thought would help other families the most.  The combination chosen by the most students included a llama, a trio of rabbits, a bee hive, a pig, and a flock of chicks.  These animals required a donation of $380, which the 63 students earned by each reading six books. 

Those students who read less than six books also collectively earned $118, so the Friends decided to donate $120 for a sheep as well.  This way, all Marshall Fifth Graders contributed to Heifer International and helped families who need basic things that we all have such as food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and the ability to go to school.  Friends of Marshall Public Library congratulate the entire Fifth grade class on reading enough books to allow the Friends to send a donation of $500 to Heifer International on their behalf.

ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be Friends of Marshall Public Library.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization known as Friends of Marshall Public Library shall be to maintain an association of persons interested in libraries, books, and related things; to promote knowledge of, and informed interest in, the functions, services, resources, and needs of Marshall Public Library; to support and cooperate with the Library in developing library services and facilities for the community; to raise funds to purchase for the Library such materials of cultural value as will advance the purposes of the Library; to encourage gifts, endowments, and bequests to Marshall Public Library; and to support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.

Friends of Marshall Public Library

612 Archer Avenue ~ Marshall, IL  62441 ~ 217/826-2535

Meeting Agenda

Thursday, March 7, 2013 ~ 5:00 PM ~ Dale McConchie Meeting Room

Call to Order

Secretary’s Report

• Approval of January 3, 2012 Minutes
• Correspondence

Treasurer’s Report

• Treasury Report
• Approval of Bills

Director’s Report

• Upcoming Programs
• Grants, projects, other news

Unfinished (Old) Business

• Oral History Project
• Application for Tax Exempt Status
• Digitization of Microfilm
• Dr. Mitchell Book Sales
• Prizes for Cabin Fever Reading Program
• “Read to Feed” wrap up program – Thursday, March 14, 12:45 PM

1. Help with program – 2 hostesses, 1 lesson person, maybe 1 reader
2. Take home treat
3. Check needed

• Little Free Libraries
• Other?

New Business

• • Potential Purchases for library
    • Contribution toward BIG READ program costs - $250
  • Other?

Other Business

• Suggestions regarding library services, facility, programs, materials
• Other?
  
  

Adjournment:   Next Meeting:  Thursday, May 2, 2013, 5:00 PM

The Friends of Marshall Public Library are helping to make many wonderful things happen at our library!

Friends of Marshall Public Library are helping to make many wonderful things happen at your library and they would like you to help!  June is membership month, so please stop in and join or renew your membership to support your local library.

Look at all the terrific things the Friends have done for the library in the past year!

• Held their annual “Member’s Only” program and hosted the Smithsonian Exhibition Grand Opening Reception,
• Participated in the Main Street Program Adopt-a-Flower Pot Project,
• Contributed toward the library’s portion of the USDA matching grant for facility improvements,
• Continued to sell donated and deleted materials, and received funds from ink cartridge recycling program,
• Challenged Marshall 5^th graders to a “Read to Feed” contest and donated to Heifer International for their efforts,
• And funded many purchases for the library, including interactive items for the children’s area; children’s programs, adult reading program prizes, small equipment, and two author programs.

As you can see, the activities of the Friends of Marshall Public Library are vital to making our library a special part of the community and surrounding area.  We hope you will join us in supporting the library by becoming a member today. Whether you choose to be an active member of the Friends or not, your support is appreciated.  Membership dues are just $5.00 for an individual or $10.00 for an entire family.  Of course larger donations are always appreciated.

If you are interested in becoming an active member of our group, please come to the Friends meetings from 5:00 to 6:00 PM on the first Thursday of July (July 5th this year), September, November, January, March, and May.  That’s only six meetings per year!