Consider becoming a FOL member to support the library

     The Monticello Public Library Friends of the Library board have been busy stuffing membership envelopes and gearing up for their annual membership drive. Inside this week’s Shoppers’ Guide, you’ll find a handy membership form. Simply fill it out, stop in the library, or fill it out online to become a FOL member and help support the Monticello library!

     New this year… anyone who signs up to become a member will get his/her name entered into a drawing for a $50 iTunes or Amazon gift card. You can join anytime between now and Jan. 18 to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced during the FOL meeting on Thursday, Jan. 19.

     The mission of the FOL is “to advocate, educate, and raise funds on behalf on the library, its patrons, and the community.”

     Each year the FOL help in various ways:

     • Support the Summer Reading Program

     • Provide funding to bring speakers and educational events to the library

     • Sponsor the highly successful Mysteries of Monticello tours

     • Purchase refreshments for many library programs/events

     • Supplement funding for special events for adults and children

     Some of the specific ways in which the FOL have contributed toward the library include:

     • Duffy Hudson’s Dr. Seuss program

     • Dan Kaercher, founder of Midwest Living Magazine and host of IPTV’s “Iowa’s Hidden Treasures”

     • Jerry Barlow, Celtic guitarist

     • Hillbilly Silly Science Spectacular

     • Animal Athletes with Blank Park Zoo

     • Bob Windt, retired aeronautical engineer, rocket building

     • Fantastic Forces with the Science Center of Iowa

     • Hanson Family Jugglers

     • A $150 donation for the library’s 10^th university celebration

     Monticello Public Library Director Michelle Turnis praised the FOL for their continued support.

     “Without their support, we would not be able to offer the number of high quality programs for all ages,” she said. “The funding from the FOL allows us to bring in a wide variety of speakers and entertainers to appeal to the entire community and frees up money in the budget to purchase books, movies, and online resources.”

     Aside from their funding assistance, the FOL also provide snacks, refreshments and a plethora of volunteers for many of the library’s programs and events.

     Some history on the FOL… The first FOL group of its kind in Monticello started as the “Ladies Library Sewing Circle,” which was organized in the mid-1800s. Their goal was to buy books for the library.

     By 1868, the Sewing Circle became the Monticello Library Society. The first officers were: Mrs. M.H. Bradstreet, president; Mrs. E.A. Proctor, vice president; Mrs. S.L. Davenport, second vice president; Mrs. S.C. Langworthy, secretary; and Mrs. A.S. Miller, treasurer.

     Membership into the Society by 1910 was only 25 cents. That year, they had 72 members.

     In more recent time, the Monticello FOL became a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corporation in 1991, and still maintains that status today. All donations are tax deductible.

     The FOL board in 1991 consisted of: Marilyn Gray, Margaret Eastburn, Harland Hetzler, James Robinson, and Marilyn Robinson.

     Today’s board members are: Tony Amsler, president; Emily Russ, vice president; Heather Hansen, secretary; Sue O’Rourke, treasurer; and Aimee Hospodarsky, at-large.

     Amsler said their membership goal this year is to hit 100. Membership levels include: $10 for an individual, $25 for a business, $50-99 at the bronze level, $100-199 at the silver level, $200-299 at the gold level, and $300 or more at the platinum level.

     “It’s a necessity of having a thriving, engaging and utilized library in our community,” urged Amsler as to why it helps to support the FOL by becoming a member. “Imagine being without a library.”

     Sign up online at: https://npo.justgive.org/MontiFOL. Sign up at the library: 205 E. Grand St. Sign up by mail: Friends of the Library, Inc., 205 E. Grand St., Monticello, IA 52310.

     For more information, contact Amsler at 319-465-5376 or amsler.tony@gmail.com.