FOCL Point Delivered

Yes - I received it today.  FOCL Point - Friends of Connecticut Libraries newletter for Summer 2010.

It covers the Annual Meeting that was held at the Cheshire Public Library back in June.  There is a lovely article about our very own Linda Levin, an amazing woman, who has given so much of her time and talent to Friends Groups and to FOCL.  It is quite fitting to name a FOCL award after her. 

What is an annual meeting without awards?  Gil Alwang is the first recipient of the Lillian Levin Meritorious Serivce Award - congratulations Gil!   Let me tell you that Gill and Lillian are people that you admire the minute you meet them.  Both of them have been and continue to be an inspiration to me.

You can read about the group awards.  What an amazing job they do for Connecticut.  Congratulations to the Friends of the Farmington Library and  Friends of the Hagaman Library of East Haven.  Focused Project Awards were given to Shelley Hall and Alissa Heilbrunn of the Trumbull Friends and to the Friends of the Babcock Library in Ashford.  Individual Achievement Awards were given to Janice Demicco of Griswold, to Josephine Demarco Esposito of New London, and the late John Randolph of New Canaan.

To round out our event, we heard from Robert Kim Bingham, Sr., and his book Courageous Dissent How Harry Bingham Defied His Government To Save Lives. He story about his father was fascinating.  Harry was a diplomat in Europe during WWII and issued visas to ordinary refugees.  It was his committment that enable him to save many people that would have died at the hands of the enemy.  There is a great recap of the article.  I hope you'll get to read about a true American Hero.

Back to the newsletter - check out the "Friends Around the State" for great ideas for your friends group.  Mark the calendar for the Fall Conference - November 6th.

FOCL was also involved with an Academic Library Friends program at the Connecticut Library Association conference.  Great advice was given by two speakers on how Friends groups can assist in raising funds for colleges and universities.  Additional resources have been added to the FOCL website on the Resources page.

It's a great newsletter.  If you haven't seen it -----  click here and you can catch up on all the issues.