Need Research Help?
Chat With A Librarian!
The Friends of the Hiram College Library was
founded in 1984. Although there was an attempt in the 1950s to
organize such a group, the impetus never gained momentum.
In
the early 1980s, the late Dorothy MacConkey, Dean of the College,
proposed the creation of a Friends group. This time the
movement succeeded. The Friends has been a highly successful
organization for the past 22 years, one of the most successful such
groups in Ohio, if not the country.
The purpose of the Friends is three-fold:
To encourage understanding and appreciation of the work and services
of the Hiram College Library;
To provide a medium through which friends of the library may become
acquainted, share their enthusiasm for books, and participate in
programs sponsored by the Friends:
To attract support for the operation of the library in the form of
gifts and bequests of money, books, manuscripts, electronic
resources, and other library materials.
The officers of the Governing Board are elected annually by the
membership. Chairs of standing committees are appointed by the
president. The Board meets bimonthly and manages the affairs
of the Friends between annual meetings. We establish
guidelines for the expenditure of funds and support special projects
to enrich the library.
For many years, the Friends sponsored an annual
book sale as a fund raiser.
Beginning in 2002, this book sale was mad an ongoing event, rather
than a special event. The group generally sponsors two public
programs each year with a variety of speakers of interest to
bibliophiles. The group also holds an annual dinner and
business meeting each spring. The Friends recognize
outstanding supporters of the library by awarding, when warranted,
the "Jessie Smith Award."
The Friends is an active organization with many enthusiastic
members. Since 1984 the group has contributed more than
$400,000 in support of the library. We do make a difference!