Impressed in Indiana
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Three years ago, when budget cuts threatened the Carmel Clay Public Library, a group of dedicated volunteers got together with the idea of developing and hosting a major fundraising event for the benefit of the Library.They came up with The Guilded Leaf Annual Book and Author Luncheon and, as an invited speaker, I can attest to the astounding success of their efforts. 450 PEOPLE showed up this year to hear six authors speak, get their books signed and eat a delicious lunch.
With a ticket price of $60.00, you do the math. The Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation Guild raised a significant amount for the Library. Even more impressive to me was seeing how the community came out in such numbers to make the event the huge success it was and support the public library.
Way to go!
posted by Mary Jane
Long live public libraries!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
This week I had the opportunity to speak at the New England Library Association luncheon in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. I was reminded, once again, if it hadn't been for the public library, I wouldn't be writing books today.My sister, Margaret Ann, and I went to story hours when we were little, then, as we learned to read ourselves, carefully selected our four library books each week from the children's library shelves. We treasured our library cards. We learned to love reading. In fact, the first mystery I ever read, The Mystery of the Auction Trunk, came from the shelves of the Westwood, NJ Public Library.
To see that the tradition continues, that the librarians of today are as devoted as they've always been to ensuring that everyone, no matter what thier economic status, has the chance to enjoy books, makes me feel good about the prospects for all those little, future writers out there.
posted by Mary Jane
