FRIENDS FOOTNOTES
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Summer
Join us for events and show your support for the Hall County community!
The Friends of the Hall County Library System
As a vital partner to the library, the Friends of the Library is a volunteer organization comprised of passionate individuals dedicated to supporting and enhancing library services, believing in their transformative power for all By joining the Friends of the Library, you become part of a community that makes a real difference You can gain valuable experience in areas like event planning, fundraising, and community outreach while advocating for increased library funding to ensure access to information for everyone. Volunteer with us, attend exciting events, and support a cause you believe in The Friends of the Library is where book lovers connect and make a difference.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Jim
President
Friends Meeting Schedule 2025
January 14 Gainesville Library Meeting Room 3:00 pm
April 15 Gainesville Library Meeting Room 3:00 pm
August 12 Gainesville Library Meeting Room 5:00 pm (Evening social meeting)
November 4 Gainesville Library Meeting Room 3:00 pm
Become A Member of the Friends
Membership in Friends of the Hall County Library System is open to all persons interested in the library system.
Ask about Friends of the Hall County Library System at Any Branch Become a Friends Member Now... Join Now Click Here to Email
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Hello to all:
The past quarter has been one of great progress and great work by some of our members. We completed our annual book sale the last weekend in March and thanks to our wonderful community, we had a great sale. I want to take a minute of you time to mention the hard-working members who are here every Monday. They organize, sort and arrange the sale room and keep up with the donations we get throughout the year. Without them, we could not do this sale every year. Specifically, I want to recognize Mari-Ann Wise, Virginia Hale, Joyce Branch and Richard Jacobs for their constant dedication to making the sale room look great, come up with special sections and maintain the overall welcoming atmosphere of the sale room. What you may not know is the amount of work it takes behind the scenes to make this happen. I welcome any member to come in on Monday mornings to see this team at work.
Another group I need to thank is the library staff. All of them go out of their way to help and make my job much easier. With their assistance, we are going to be seeing some new things that should enhance your experience as a member and help us grow the Friends group. Watch the Facebook pages, this newsletter and my email updates for some new and pretty exciting things coming your way. If you are not a member, please consider joining or come to our August 12 meeting from 5 to 7 pm. You will meet some of the very friendly and dedicated members who always make me proud to be president of the Friends of the Hall County Library System.
Jim Wise, President of the Friends of the Hall
County Library System
Meet Your Fellow Members: 2025 Membership List
We are proud to have such a dedicated and supportive group of members! Here is a list of our current members as of 04-17-2025:
Friends of the Hall County Library System 2025
Lifetime Members
Ginny Boyd, Joyce Branch, Ruth Bruner, Anne Chenault, Bernice and Carlyle Cox, Leslie and Chip Frierson, Kathy and Lamar Gailey, Gainesville Phoenix Women's Club, Gainesville Newcomers Club, M Jane Goodrich, Virginia and Jim Hale, MyGeorgia Credit Union, Grady Young Foundation, Barbara J. Hermann, James and Julie Howell, Jackson EMC, Bonnie and Harley Jones, LaFarge North America Liberty Utilities, Denise Lee, Lifestyle Real Estate by Dominai Reeves, Carolyn and Jim Mahar, Abit and Kayanne Massey, John and June McPherson, Irene Michaud, Adrian and Susan Mixson, Cara Mitchell, Melissa Mitchell, NE GA Health System, Rushton Accounting and Business Advisors, Chris Sanders, Laura Shepherd, Turner, Wood, and Smith Insurance, Sandy Wilbanks, Grover and Janice Young.
Sponsors
Denise Lee
Patrons
William and Judy Chasey, Maryellen Cosgrove, Betty Dyarmett, Jennifer Goodwin, Susan Walker, Laurin Yoder.
Families
Mr. and Mrs. George Budzinack, Kate and Allen Carlson, Judy and William Chasey, Rocky and Jessica Green, Mike and Gail Hogan, Adrianne and Christopher Junius, Stacey Kemp, Gabriele Koecher and Robert Copelan, Anna Kraft, Janet and George Ordway, Jim and Mari-Ann Wise.
Individuals
Rosalyn Baldwin, Kenneth Bertoson Jr, Eileen Berkowitz, Geanie Cooper, Sara Crippen, Deborah Evans, Bethany Green, K Ellen Hagan, Libby Jackson, Richard Jacobs, Emily Kirkman, Ann Lott, Lisa MacKinney, Melissa Mannozzi, Elaine Martin, Hope Rogers, Ronda Sanders, Wayne Schrader, Vicki Scroggins, Susan Shenefield, Olivia and Fred Skey, Phyllis Stiner.
Exciting News For Friends
Get ready to experience even more magic with the Friends of the Hall County Library System! Our dedicated volunteers are always looking for new ways to strengthen our community ties and enhance the incredible resources our library provides. To that end, we're thrilled to announce some exciting updates coming soon to our membership program – get ready for exclusive Friends-only merchandise and enhanced benefits across all membership tiers!
We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our current members, and we're eager to welcome new friends to our passionate community of library advocates. To show our gratitude and encourage even greater participation, we're introducing a range of unique incentives designed to add extra value to your Friends of the Library membership.
Imagine proudly sporting a custom-designed tote bag featuring a literary quote, or sipping your morning coffee from a Friends of the Library mug. Perhaps you'd love an exclusive bookmark showcasing local artwork, or a stylish sticker to declare your love for books and the library. These are just a few of the exciting, high-quality merchandise ideas we're developing exclusively for our Friends members! Want to be a part of the deciding group on what items will be available? Make your voice heard by attending Friends meetings!
These special items will be rolled out across our various membership levels, offering a tangible token of our appreciation for your commitment. Whether you're a longtime supporter or considering joining for the first time, there's never been a better time to become a Friend
The Friends of the Hall County Library is launching a tote bag art contest, offering two exciting ways to get your design on a stylish, library-themed tote. Submit your design for just $10 OR get an individual Friends of the Hall County Library membership for $25 between now and May 1 that includes your chance to enter the art contest PLUS the limited edition tote bag!
Option 1: Unleash Your Inner Artist
Do you have a knack for design? We invite you to participate in our art contest! For a $10 entry fee, submit your original artwork that celebrates the library – books, reading, community, or anything library-related! The winning design will be featured on our exclusive Friends of the Library tote bag. Imagine your art carried around town, showing your support for this vital community resource!
Option 2: Become a Friend, Submit Your Art & Get a Tote!
Looking for a guaranteed way to snag one of these fantastic tote bags? Become a member of the Friends of the Hall County Library! With membership levels starting at just $25, you'll be able to enter your design in the tote bag contest and, not only receive the limited-edition tote bag featuring the winning artwork, but you'll also be supporting the library's vital programs and services.
Support the Library, Carry Your Love
Ready to submit your art or become a Friend? Paper entries can be obtained and submitted at any Hall County Library location. Art submissions must be completed on the paper entry sheet and within the 10 by 6 inch landscape area provided. A panel of judges will select the winning design based on creativity, relevance to the library, and visual appeal. Get those creative juices flowing and show us what the library means to you!
How to Participate:
Art Contest Entry: Submit your 10 by 6 inch landscape artwork and completed submission form by May 1st, along with a $10 entry fee paid either in person or via the "Tote Bag Contest” option on the provided QR code payment link.
Guaranteed Tote Bag: Submit your 10 by 6 inch landscape artwork and completed submission form by May 1st, and become a Friends of the Hall County Library member by using the provided QR code to select and pay for a membership. Submit the completed form.
Thank You for a Successful Book Sale!
The Friends of the Hall County Library System extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our annual book sale in March! Your generous donations and enthusiastic support made it a truly great event. that surpassed last years numbers The funds raised will directly benefit the library and its programs, allowing us to continue enhancing services for our community. A special shout-out goes to the dedicated team of volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the book sale run smoothly. Their efforts in sorting, organizing, and setting up the sale room are invaluable. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment!
Get Ready to "Color Our World" This Summer!
The much-anticipated annual Summer Reading Program from the Hall County Library System is almost here, and this year promises to be a vibrant adventure as we "Color Our World"! The Friends of the Library are thrilled to once again play a vital role in making this program a success. Their incredible generosity, with donations of $5,000 to the Children's Department and $1,400 to the Adult Department, directly fuels the library's efforts to bring engaging programs, exciting events, and fantastic prizes to our entire Hall County community throughout the summer. Get ready to dive into a world of reading fun thanks in part to the wonderful support of the Friends!
Upcoming Events
Darker and Stormier
Brace yourselves... the shadows deepen.
Remember the shivers from our Dark and Stormy Night? Fall 2025, prepare for Darker and Stormier – an evening where the spooky factor cranks up and the ghost tales take a truly bone-chilling turn. We're conjuring a more intense, more memorable experience that will leave you looking over your shoulder long after the last story fades. Where were you when the stories got darker? Stay tuned for details... if you dare.
Winter 2026 is shaping up to be epic!
Get ready to shuffle your decks for a cause! The Friends of the Hall County Library System proudly present... Page Turners & Planeswalkers!
Where the thrill of the draw meets the love of the lore. Prepare for a Magic: The Gathering tournament like no other, all in support of your local library. Sharpen your strategies, dust off your rarest cards, and get ready to show off your best commanders!
More details are brewing... stay tuned!
Friends Impact
Have you ever stopped to consider the powerful force working behind the scenes to make our Hall County Libraries so vibrant and impactful? It's the Friends of the Hall County Library System, a dedicated group of volunteers whose quiet efforts have a profound and far-reaching effect on our community. Their contributions often fly under the radar, yet their impact is undeniable. Let's explore just how the Friends impact resonates throughout our library system and beyond.
Investing in Knowledgeable Support: Empowering Our Library Staff
A thriving library begins with a skilled and knowledgeable team. Recognizing this, the Friends actively invest in our greatest asset: our library staff In recent years, they've provided valuable scholarships to four staff members seeking professional development, as well as funding staff development programs This commitment ensures that our libraries are staffed by individuals equipped to guide and support our community's learning journey. This is a direct Friends impact on the quality of service Hall County receives.
Cultivating a Love of Reading: Nurturing Young Minds
The Friends understand that fostering a love of reading starts early Their unwavering support has been crucial in the fight against the summer reading slide Thanks to their contributions over 3,000 children in our community have benefited from engaging summer reading programs. This effect on early literacy lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Amplifying the Library's Voice: Advocating for Growth and Innovation
The Friends are more than just supporters; they are powerful advocates for our library system. Their dedication extends to actively engaging in the civic process to ensure our libraries receive the resources they need Their lobbying efforts were instrumental in securing state grant funds for the future East Hall Library Branch, a significant "Friends impact" that will expand access to vital resources Furthermore they championed technology upgrades in all branches, ensuring our community remains connected in the digital age – another key area of "Friends impact."
Building Welcoming Hubs: Enhancing Our Library Spaces
Our libraries are more than just repositories of books; they are vital community hubs The Friends understand the importance of creating welcoming and functional spaces for everyone Their funding of special furniture for the Blackshear Place Branch Library construction project directly contributed to a comfortable and inviting environment. This tangible impact creates spaces where our community can connect, learn, and grow.
The Friends impact on the m and our community is significant and multifaceted. From investing in our staff to advocating for expans lities, their dedication enriches the lives of countless individuals. They are the unsung heroes who empower our libraries to thrive and continue to serve as invaluable resources for all.
Thank You, Friends!
As the pages of this newsletter turn, we hope you've found inspiration and information about how the Friends of the Hall County Library System continues to support our vital community resource. Your enthusiasm and dedication are the cornerstones of our success, enabling us to champion literacy, learning, and access for all in Hall County. We eagerly anticipate the exciting developments and events ahead. Because of your commitment, the Hall County Library System can continue to thrive as a center for knowledge, connection, and growth. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing this important journey together.
