Hiram College Library

Welcome Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Hiram College Library is a highly successful organization, one of the most successful such groups in Ohio, if not the country. Since its founding in 1984, the group has contributed more than one million dollars in support of the library!

Vision Statement

The Friends of the Hiram College Library envisions continuing and increasing its funding and programmatic support of the Hiram College Library as the library expands its services to meet the changing scholarly and educational needs of the future, including the new teaching/learning, research, and recreational needs of the faculty, students and staff. The Friends will also pursue ways to meet the needs of members residing in the surrounding community who are part of the broader world of learning but not part of the official Hiram College family.

Mission Statement

Building upon the PURPOSE of the Friends of the Hiram College Library as stated in ARTICLE II of the BY-LAWS, the Mission of the Friends shall be:

• To plan activities and programs which appeal to a wide audience, both within and without the Hiram College community;
• To better communicate the activities of the Friends by means of an enhanced web site; electronic communications with members via e-mail; and wider print advertising;
• To attract more interest in the Friends among campus groups (students, faculty, staff), who directly benefit from Friends’ support of the library;
• To facilitate access for Friends’ members to the resources of the library, whether within the building or in the broader information world;
• To produce additional income to support the library by defining new membership categories and increasing the membership.

If you have any questions, please contact Terri Foy, Circulation Manager at foytm@hiram.edu or 330-569-5359 to join the Friends of the Library today!

Friends of the Library Events:

2024 Friends of the Library Winter Program

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Location: Hiram College Library Pritchard Room (2nd floor) or Zoom

This event is free and open to the public.

Beyond the Shadow of Doubt: What's Going on During a Solar Eclipse?
Presented by Alumnus Daniel Gavazzi

Why do eclipses occur? How can we predict eclipses? What do astronomers study during eclipses? Did you know that we can see stars behind the sun during an eclipse? Prepare for the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse in Ohio by learning answers to these questions from Hiram College alumnus and physics instructor Daniel Gavazzi. Following the event, receive instructions to make your own solar viewer and learn more about Hiram College’s plans to celebrate the eclipse on campus on April 8. This event is free and open to the public. 

Event Details and Registration:

The event will be held in person in the Pritchard Room on the Library's Second Floor or via Zoom. It is free and open to the public. Register to receive the Zoom link.

Fall 2023 Program with Thomas Bacher '78: The Essential Liberal Arts: Historical Sketches of Hiram College. View the recording.

Winter 2023 Program with Lucy Chamberlain '77 and Dr. Denny Taylor '73: The Hiram Public Gardens. View the recording.

Fall 2022 Program with Dr. Tim Rasinksi, The Art and Science of Reading: View the recording. 

Fall 2021 Program with Ben Wolford, The Portager: View the recording. 

Hiram College Library Events

Some Hiram College Library events are open to the public. Visit the library's events page for more information. 

Members of the Friends of the Library Board:

President: Ella Kirk
Vice President: Eileen Everett
Recording Secretary: Dani Hollar '10
Corresponding Secretary: Terri Foy
Past President: Jeff Wanser
Treasurer: Janet Vogel
Members at Large: Lisa Johnson, Joanne Sawyer
Membership & Publicity Committee Co-Chairs: Demetria Patrick, Rachel Howell '90
Flyleaf Editor: Eileen Everett
Development Representative: Megan Fogel

The Flyleaf is the Friends of the Library Newsletter. View the most recent issues below. 

Supplemental information from the Spring 2024 issue of The Flyleaf.

Ian Johnson, Class of 2023, next to his poster about the History of Sugar Day at the Sugar Day poster presentations, April 2023.

2023 Friends of the Library Annual Meeting

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Location: Hiram College Library Pritchard Room (2nd floor) or Zoom

This event is free and open to the public.

Featured Presentation: Planning for an Uncertain Future: Library Strategic Plans Pre- and Post-COVID by Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System

Libraries of all types often rely on strategic plans to guide them into the future. These plans act as a framework for new initiatives, both big and small, and are frequently developed with input from all library stakeholders, from community members to the library leadership and staff. As with most things, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the development of library strategic plans. While many libraries have carried mainstay goals and objectives like community outreach and staff development into their post-pandemic plans, there has been a shift in priorities and a rise in new services for many libraries. Snead will discuss trends in post-COVID library planning and share what the future may look like for libraries in Northeast Ohio.

Ragan Snead, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, has 12 years of experience in public and academic libraries. She has a passion for staff development and helping library staff reach their full potential. In addition to her work in various areas of librarianship, Ragan has experience in management, community outreach, and strategic planning. She received her MLIS from Kent State University and her MBA from Lake Erie College.

The Friends of the Hiram College Library Annual Meeting also includes updates from the Friends President and information about Friends activities this year. 

Ballot:

Elect Friends of the Library Board Members with the 2023 Ballot.

Event Details and Registration:

The event will be held in person in the Pritchard Room on the Library's Second Floor or via Zoom. It is free and open to the public.

 Register to receive a Zoom link.