 Friends of Wildwood Library Society5112 50 StreetBox 309 Wildwood, AB. T0E 2M0 Ph 780-325-3882 Fax 780-325-3880 | WELCOME | ABOUT US | CONTACTS | LINKS | |
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 What is FOWLS?The
Friends of Wildwood Library Society (FOWLS)
grew out of the former Wildwood Public Library Board of Trustees. Since
July 1997, it became a registered, non-profit society. The
members of the Society then and now are all volunteers,
local people
who love libraries and believe it is an essential service to their
community.
FOWLS contracted with the Yellowhead County Library Board (YCLB) for 10 years until the end of 2007, to manage the behind-the-scenes running of the library. This entailed writing policy, establishing a working budget, paying bills, and hiring and paying staff. FOWLS helped design the present library when the Yellowhead County gave the entire building over for library use. FOWLS was there when all the books and furniture and shelves had to be boxed and moved for the renovations. Then they planned a Grand Re-opening when the reno was finished. A few years later FOWLS chose new shelving, and volunteers were on hand to box up, move and then re-shelf all the books, when the new shelving was in place. Whatever needs to be done, the FOWLS members are always there to help. Another huge involvement is fund-raising. Fund-raising projects have included raffles of baskets of Murchie’s Teas and Coffees, the publishing of Literally Delicious, a collection of recipes from local patrons and cooks, library tote bags, flower bulbs, and shotgun BBQ lighters. At the local Christmas Farmers Markets, FOWLS set up tables to sell Rancho Vignola Nuts and Dried Fruits, and Nut Man Products, featuring their Christmas tins and trays. The largest fund-raising project began in 1998 when FOWLS introduced the Silent Auction, held at the Ag Complex on Wildwood’s yearly Fair Day in August. It was a great success from the first and has become a “main event” at the Fair. The local and area community and businesses have always generously supported the Auction by their donations for the bidding and also by attending the Auction. FOWLS solicits donations from VIA Rail for round trip tickets from Edmonton to Jasper, passes to the West Edmonton Mall Water Park, golfing in Edson and many other attractive items for bidding. At this auction one may find something new, something antique, and something in-between, something useful, something showy, something to read, something to grow, something to wear, or something to eat. It’s all there at the Auction! In June 2004, the Wildwood Public Library celebrated its 50th Anniversary. FOWLS hosted a celebration in the library’s backyard under a pavilion tent. The background theme was the 1950’s. It offered ice cream cones and lemon aide at 1950’s prices and played music from that time. Many government dignitaries came and offered words of appreciation and encouragement. Representatives from the provincial Libraries Branch and from the Yellowhead Regional Library came to join the celebration. The most special guest was the Honourable Lois Hole who gave a wonderful talk in support of libraries. Children from Wildwood Public School and Seniors were especially invited to attend the event. Library lovers from all around the county were there, too. Another important element of FOWLS’ success was the good relationship it had with Ann Myrholm, who was the Librarian for the Wildwood Public Library for over 15 years. Ann was a dedicated and energetic librarian who worked hard to make the Wildwood Library excel in its service to the community. In addition, the Yellowhead County Library Board supported the FOWLS’ efforts by approving its suggestions for improvements and needed purchases and upgrades. Library advocacy and promotions is another important purpose of FOWLS. It supports the Wildwood Public Library in any celebration such as Senior’s Week, Volunteer Week, and Library Week. Other community groups such as the Wildwood Legion, the Ag Society and the Bronco-Busting Society give financial donations to the Library at the request of FOWLS. In turn, FOWLS members would offer volunteer support for the other group’s activities. FOWLS has helped bring awareness to the Yellowhead Council through the YCLB that the Wildwood Public Library is in dire need of a bigger facility. Whether the Library gets a larger new building at its present site or gets moved to a larger building in town is not yet settled. The first step of establishing awareness by advocating for a larger building has been accomplished. Since January of 2008, the Yellowhead County Library Board has put in place a new governance model. The YCLB no longer contracts with the Library Societies to manage the libraries. A new Director of Library Services, Linda Mackoway, now oversees the Wildwood Public Library and the other two libraries on the east end of the county. This commences a new step towards the future for the Wildwood Public Library, as well as for FOWLS. Now FOWLS can focus all of its energy on fund raising and advocacy. The future of libraries will have need of an enthusiastic advocacy to expand the awareness of their importance in rural communities and insure increased and sustained funding. As it has for many years, FOWLS has an important role in the future of the Wildwood Public Library. Submitted by former
Board Member Nina Kencis
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©Copyright
2008-2009 FOWLS |
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