Friends of CML

PAGES – Art from the PAGES program @ the Wexner Center for the Arts – will be on display from May 3 -30 at the Carnegie Gallery (2nd Floor, Main Library). An opening reception is open to all Friends from 6-8pm on Thursday, May 3.

PAGES is a literacy and writing program for high school students from Columbus-area schools. Throughout the yearlong program, students experience the contemporary arts at the Wexner Center and respond to those experiences in prose, poetry and art.

The exhibition features work by students from Arts and College Preparatory Academy, Briggs High School, Columbus Alternative High School, Mosaic, Pickerington High School, and Reynoldsburg High School (Summit Road Campus).

Pack your lunch and blanket, and join the Friends of the Library for this summer’s PBJ & Jazz concerts. They are scheduled for June 9, July 14, August 11, and September 8. You can stop by the library for the 11 a.m. family storytime then walk over to the Topiary Park for the music. Concerts begin at noon and an activity follows at 1 p.m. For more details click here.

At the January Annual Meeting, the Friends officially acknowledged new and second-term trustees as well as new officers to the board.

 Newly elected trustees from left to right:

Front row: Susan Meyer, Sharon Richter, Lara Oliver, Jennifer Hadden, Carla Williams-Scott

Back row: Patrick Meyer, Tamara James, Susan Zelinski

Officers from left to right:

Tom Young, Treasurer

Lara Oliver, President

Jennifer Hadden, Secretary

Susan Meyer, Vice President

On January 14, this Columbus Metropolitan Library unveiled this stunning new mural in the Center for Discovery. Created by artist Sarah DeAngulo Hout, the mural is a vibrant and relevant addition to a space devoted to learning and discovery for children.

Whether you’re young, have children of your own, or you’re just young at heart, this is a piece that needs to be seen in person.

This mural was made possible through the financial support of the Friends of the Library.

As a Friend of the Library, consider attending our upcoming Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 @ 6pm in the Carnegie Room (2nd floor) of the Main Library. It’s a chance to meet your board members and attend the business meeting to better understand the important work of the Friends on behalf of our library.

Cover Art left to right: Randall Perkins, “Receding Dreamscape”, Acrylic; Corey Sokolnicki, “Nefertiti’s Revenge”, Watercolor; Doug Gantt, “Lady In Waiting”, Acrylic

The Carnegie Gallery is featuring its latest exhibit from Open Door Art Studio. Join the Friends of the Library for an opening reception, Thursday, January 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Main Library’s Carnegie Gallery (2nd floor).

Open Door empowers artists with disabilities to develop unique, artistic voices and to experience opportunities afforded through the arts. We believe that creativity knows no boundaries and that all individuals deserve an environment for expression without limitation. “Art from the Other Side” includes a truly remarkable body of work from artists who cannot easily be defined by a particular movement.

Open Door Art Studio is a division of Columbus Center for Human Services, Inc. Curated by Stephanie Rond.

The BIG GIVE is a great way to support our library…especially with $1 million in matching funds available. Here’s how you can make your year-end, tax-deductible donation go even further: 

WHEN:

Thursday, Nov. 10 (beginning at 11 a.m.)

until Friday, Nov. 11 (ending at 11 a.m.)

WHERE/HOW:

Make an online credit card contribution of $20 or more to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation:

• Go to The Columbus Foundation website
• Click on the GIVE NOW button
• Select Columbus Metropolitan Library from the list of non-profit organizations

You can make your donation by using a major credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). Columbus Foundation donors can also make a gift from their Donor Advised Fund(s). See complete details on how the Big Give works and how your contribution will be matched on the Columbus Foundation website.

WHY:

Your donation will help support vital library programs including:

• Ready to Read Corps, helping at-risk families with early childhood literacy.
• Summer Reading Club, ensuring kids keep reading skills high over the summer.
• Homework Help Centers, providing kids with free after-school help.
• Job Help Centers, getting Ohioans back to work.

A high-volume response from library supporters will send a positive message to the Columbus Foundation and confirm to the community that the library is vital to our community.

So spread the word and prepare to make the Big Give a big deal for our library on Nov. 10!

Today Executive Director Pat Losinski announced the latest in a very long list of impressive accomplishments for CML: The 2011 National Medal for community service.

Issued by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), it is considered the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. CML was specifically recognized for our Homework Help Centers, Ready to Read Corps and Job Help Centers. Check out the news from Pat here.

Would you describe yourself as an energetic, dynamic individual looking for an opportunity to serve your community in a meaningful, positive way? The Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is searching for people meeting that description to serve on the organization’s Board of Trustees. Maybe they’re searching for you!

Friends of the Library board members absolutely love the library and have a heart for volunteer leadership. Prospective trustees often have previous experience serving on boards or committees along with knowledge of organizational recruiting, fundraising and budgeting. Board members serve three-year-terms (donating several evenings each month), and enthusiastically network and advocate for the library throughout our community.

If this volunteer leadership opportunity sounds like it might be a good fit for you, click FOL_Nomination_Package_2012 to download a copy (PDF) of the information packet and application. Mail the completed form (along with any additional materials detailing your skills and experience) to Friends of the Library, c/o Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 South Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215. Fax (614) 849-1153. For more information, contact Donna Zuiderweg at (614) 849-1053 or via email at dzuiderweg@columbuslibrary.org

To be considered, submissions must be received by 5 p.m., October 28, 2011. The nominating committee will begin reviewing applications soon thereafter.