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Beacon Correspondent
As the New Year got into full swing so did the Friends of the Fortuna Library board. They recently met at the Fortuna River Lodge for their annual membership meeting to review last year's events and install new officers for the 2012 year.
The meeting was called to order by President Carol Kinser in front of about 40 members and community members who were there to discuss the upcoming events, government, and meeting schedules.
Kinser reviewed the previous year sharing.
”2011 was another successful year for the Friends of the Fortuna Library,” she said. “Last year's dinner and book sale held on our Fortuna Library Day in March brought $6,619 with a supporting grant from US Bank of $1,000 for Library Day.”
Every year Fortuna holds an Auto Xpo and last year the Friends of Fortuna Library held a book sale adding another $444 to join candle, jam, box, and miscellaneous book sales of $388 throughout the year.
The Canevari Foundation supported the Fortuna Library by providing a $4,000 grant with Fortuna Sunrise Rotary, Fortuna Noon Rotary, and Fortuna Kiwanis providing the necessary support to obtain a much needed storage unit.
Many in the community of Fortuna have stepped into the quaint library located at 753 14th St. and met the beloved librarian Chris Cooper. Cooper has been with the library for 11 years and this past year launched a used book sale at the library for the community to enjoy. This project has brought more than $400 to the organization. To facilitate the project and take advantage of the small space, member Ron Irvin provided a cart and signage for the used books.
Cooper shared, “I am so thankful for my highly skilled staff, their hard work, and this amazing community core of volunteers.”
The library has been able to increase their hours and according to Cooper, “We have great courses available on personal growth, learning, and other areas.” The Fortuna Library receives a great deal of support from the Friends of the Fortuna Library and Cooper reflected, “I am so thankful for the friends and want to thank them for their work, dedication and advocacy.” Cooper was joined in these feelings by Humboldt County Library representative Melinda Landry.
The Fortuna Library is provided basic maintenance by the city of Fortuna and this last year Cooper's office was converted to a Teen Zone, which was provided with new CD racks by the FFL. The Fortuna Garden Club is redesigning the front of the building landscape during the coming months to enhance the building.
”Over the last year the FFL was able to provide $9,100 in library books, refurbishing adult paperbacks, materials, subscriptions, and supplies,” Kinser said.
There are around 300 members of the FFL and 30 business memberships. Almost half of the volunteers for the library are FFL members. Members believe this reflects the dedication of FFL and the need for volunteers to support our local youth.
Due to the new equipment and continual improvements to the Fortuna Library, they obtained a security system. The library has purchased new media equipment which will be used to show films for teens. Again the FFL stepped up and helped with these expenses.
The Fortuna Library increased their hours of operation and staffing through the generous support of the Perenin Foundation. The McLean Foundation continues to lend its support financially for special programs to benefit the community.
Supervisor Clif Clendenen was in attendance.
“I want to express my deepest appreciation to the Friends of the Fortuna Library, foundations, organizations, staff, volunteers, and community supports,” he said.
Fortuna Mayor Doug Strehl said, “It is nice to see the turnout at this meeting today. It is because of a great group of volunteers that keep the library running. A lot of people use the library and the purpose is to get the youth involved and interested. Thank you for keeping it alive and well in the community.”
FFL holds their meetings at the Fortuna City Hall Conference Room, which is donated by the city of Fortuna. FFL continues to be a reciprocal member with the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. The buildings share a grassy area and picnic table, which provides opportunity to enjoy all they both have to offer in resources, sun, and family time.
The FFL will hold their next meeting on Feb. 22 at the City Hall Conference Room and are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
”Unless there is a tax increase in the city of Fortuna, expansion is not in the near future for the Fortuna Library,” said City Manager Duane Rigge. “The city is the landowner and we maintain the building. The exterior has significant maintenance issues. We are aware of it and are not ignoring it.”
The March 10th Library Day is being held at the Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. located in front of the Fortuna Library and next door to the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce Office on Main Street in Fortuna. The event will host the annual book sale that brings in much needed funds for the FFL. Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and tickets are available now.
Attendance is encouraged, and FFL asks everyone to mark their calendars now, plan a family outing, and bring friends. Parking is available surrounding the building and can be reached by turning onto 14th Street toward the library.
Cooper is requesting donations of books for the Library Day from anyone interested in supporting the library. FFL is looking for kids, teens, crafting, World War II, westerns, contemporary fiction, and mysteries. They respectfully request that no donations of encyclopedias, condensed books, or Readers Digest are made. The FFL is looking for non-moldy, gently-used. good condition books to provide to the community.
For more information about the FFL or the Fortuna Library, contact 725-3460.
photo captions:
photos by Heather Nyberg-Schlotzhauer/Beacon
1. Fortuna Librarian Chris Cooper address the room during the Friends of the Fortuna Library Annual Membership meeting held at the Fortuna Riverlodge.
2. The Friends of the Fortuna Library took time to pose for a picture. Seated (left to right): Treasurer Dale Harris, President Carol Kinser, Director Louise Sierk. Standing (left to right): Director Judy Irvin, First Vice President Laura Clark, Secretary Sean Flynn, Past President Jane DeHaan. Not pictured: Second Vice President Amy Samuelson.
