Newsletter, May 2023

Dear Friends of the Williamsburg Libraries members and supporters,
As the spring season blossoms we have some exciting updates and events to share with you. Firstly, we are so happy to welcome Barbara Scheinmel to our Board of Directors; we appreciate the expertise and enthusiasm that she brings to the organization and look forward to working on new projects with her in the coming months. Secondly, we would like to thank everyone who participated in our recent Library Staff Appreciation Luncheon during National Library Week (April 17th-21st). It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hard work of the dedicated staff and volunteers that keep the Meekins running like a well-oiled machine. Staff and volunteers relaxed together over a lunch catered by the Williamsburg Market – thanks so much to Holly Hendricks and Jason Heffner for putting together his event.

DEAR Day activities, in honor of Beverly Cleary's birthday, saw the library host readers for kids of all ages and literary snacks on April 12th. This annual event encourages children to Drop Everything And Read in tribute to the beloved author's contributions to children's literature. The Friends envision this event as a way for adults to share favorite literature and help build the foundations for life-long readers. A big thank you to Nikki Gardner, Freda Brackley, Becky Houlihan and Jason Heffner for helping to organize this event.

Looking ahead, we have a number of exciting events in store for the next couple of months. A used book collection event will be held on May 13th from 10-1 in the Hawks-Hayden Room. Start setting aside any gently used books you would like to donate now! The Friends are also looking forward to funding the summer reading program which promises to be a fun and engaging way for children and adults alike to beat the heat and stay engaged with literature over the summer months. For more details about the kick-off event, which will be held on June 17th, keep an eye on the Meekins website.

Finally, we would like to invite supporters to a special dedication ceremony in memory of our dear friend Eileen Stewart on May 6th from 11:30-12:15pm on the Meekins patio. Eileen was a dedicated Library Trustee, active in the Friends, and a former town moderator – these were just a few of the many hats that she wore with aplomb. Her contributions to our community, her love of literature and her infectious spirit will be sorely missed. In her honor, we will be dedicating a bench outside the library as a lasting tribute to her memory. Please feel free to stop by and share your own memories of Eileen.
So mark your calendars and join us for a season of unforgettable events and if you are interested in getting more involved with the Williamsburg Friends of the Libraries, we encourage you to attend our monthly meetings. They are held on the second Monday of each month at the Meekins, and this is a great opportunity to meet new people, learn about what we are working on, and get involved in our efforts to support libraries in our community. We hope to see you soon!