FRIENDS OF THE ALBION COLLEGE LIBRARY

Year End Review: 2002

MEMBERSHIP

In 2002, the Friends of the Albion College Library had 105 members.  We would like to thank everyone who gave so generously this year, but we would like to extend heartfelt thanks to several donors, including Dr. Paul Loukides and Dr. Frank Frick.

EVENTS & PROGRAMS

On October 22nd, Albion College’s own Dr. James Cook, Langbo Trustees’ Professor of English, Emeritus delivered the fourth Marilyn Crandell Schleg, ’58, Memorial Lecture.  His lecture, entitled “Confessions of a Stack Rat: Archives I Have Known and Loved,” was interesting, informative, and at times outrageously funny.

On November 13th, the Friends continued their longstanding tradition of co-hosting Readings & Lectures with the English Department. Elizabeth Rosner, winner of the GLCA New Writers Award for Fiction for 2001, read from her work “The Speed of Light,” published by Ballantine Books, to an enthusiastic crowd in Wendell Will Room. 

The Odd Topics Society luncheon group is getting even more popular, averaging 45-55 attendees.  As a matter of fact, we have had to move our meetings from the Albion Room to the larger Mary Sykes Room.  This past year, we learned about mountain climbing, fireworks, Winston Churchill, and estate treasures. Upcoming talks in 2003 will include fireworks part dux in January. 

The Friends Annual Book Sale, held in March, raised $5,782.53.  This sale was our most profitable to date. Breaking with tradition, we did not have a pre-sale lecture. Due to the large number of collectable titles in the Silent Auction, we used that hour to allow booksellers and collectors to examine the Silent Auction titles more carefully.  See Upcoming Events (below) for information on our next sale.

The Friends also continued to sponsor a number of other worthwhile library and campus events.  Once again, we provided refreshments for the Poetry Fest held on April 3rd in the Wendell Will Room. Our Poetry Fest, the Library’s National Poetry Month celebration, was very well attended and included students, staff, faculty and community members. 

For the first time ever, The Friends set up an information booth at the Briton Bash. Some students showed an interest in becoming Friends and others signed up to be members of a student library advisory group.  

Next time you are on campus, stop by the library and look at our Friends display in the Mudd Library Reference area. 

PURCHASES & GIFTS

With the generous support of our Friends, we were able to refinish two study tables in Stockwell and refinish and reupholster three chairs in Mudd.  We also purchased some audio equipment for the Archives. This equipment will allow us to digitize older sound recordings in the Archives and help with the library’s Oral History project. Finally, in-keeping with popular traditions, the Friends provided snacks for the students studying for finals in the Library and served as an official sponsor for the Elkin R. Isaac Research Symposium. 

UPCOMING EVENTS in 2002

Odd Topics Luncheons are scheduled for: January 22nd, February 26th, March 26th, September 24th, October 22nd and November 19th.  Watch your mailbox for specifics.   The Annual Book Sale is scheduled for March 20th and 21st.   The Friends’ Preview Sale and Preview Lecture will be held on the evening of March 19th.  In April, watch for information about National Poetry Month events and displays.  See http://www.albion.edu/library/friends/events&programs.asp for current information.

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Last updated 9/24/2003 JAT