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History |
Then ...
The organization known as Blount
County Friends of the Library was organized in the 1970's to
create interest in and support for the relocation and building
of the McGhee Street library. The Friends group then became
a support group for library staff. When a new building was required
for the new century, the Friends of the Library again raised
interest and support.
The local Friends also belongs
to the national Friends of Libraries U.S.A. State and local
Friends of Libraries and similar support groups share their
best ideas. The tremendous volume of work and support offered
to libraries is impressive. This is particularly important here
in Tennessee, as the state ranks 48th in governmental financial
support for libraries. It appears that without Friends groups,
none of us would enjoy the extensive well-equipped libraries
we currently have.
And now ...
The Blount County Friends has
grown to include nearly 1,000 individual members. It continues
to focus public attention on the library, cooperate with the
library staff in developing services for the community, supply
volunteers to assist staff, and raise funds for special needs.
The Friends have one annual meeting, in June, but the Friends
board meets monthly. Friends programs that have been the highly
successful are the lecture series and the ongoing collection
of books for quarterly book sales. |
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the Knoxville Oak Ridge Regional Network
