Letter from the President
of
The Friends of the Hampsted Public Library

September 2011

 
 

Dear Friends,
 
Welcome to another new year!  This happens to be an especially notable membership year for the Friends of the Library, but let us first go back in time for a moment.  It is now the year 1962.  John F. Kennedy is president of the United States and we’ve come away from the brink of nuclear war.  Millions of children are being given the new medical miracle drug, Albert Sabin’s Oral Polio Vaccine and John Glenn, Jr., becomes the first American to orbit the earth.  WOW!  The Beatles have invaded and Chubby Checker has everyone, and I mean everyone doing "The Twist”.  The average cost of a new house is $12,500 and gas is going for 28¢ per gallon.  If you happen to attend Harvard, your tuition will be $1,520.  What a year!  I could go on, and on, but something else has taken place.  It is April of 1962 and the trustees of the Hampstead Public Library are pleased with the formation of a "Friends of the Library” group.  This small group of about 15 is involved in distributing books to the local Rest Home and to shut-ins and makes itself available to assist Librarian, Mrs. Bertha L. Whiteneck when help is needed.
 
In April 2012, the Friends of the Hampstead Public Library” will celebrate its 50th year!  Times certainly have changed, and each passing year brings more change with different needs to be met.  The sole purpose of the Friends of the Library is support our library by raising funds for the many things the library simply cannot afford beyond its regular operating budget.  The Friends have provided funds for so many things the library might otherwise not have, such as the Children’s Summer Reading Program, entertaining and informative monthly programs and numerous museum passes.  All costly, but available at no charge to library patrons.  The list is long and includes new technology such as the Nook, a new outdoor sign for the library, a much needed new refrigerator, a defibrillator, and even the construction of a room within the library to house our very profitable thrift shop, and that’s just within the "recent” past!
Amazingly enough this is all accomplished through modest membership fees and our extremely successful fundraisers such as the Hollyhock Thrift Shop, the ever-popular Holiday House Tour, and our Annual Auction*.
 
Please join me in renewing your membership, the annual fee is still only $5 and membership forms are always available at the library for new memberships.  Becoming a member and being a member is so very easy.  There are NO DEMANDS and volunteering to help with fundraisers is NOT a requirement.  Everyone is important in their own way.  For those of you who might have a little time and would like to find out if there is something you might enjoy helping with, please inquire at the library and the staff will point you in the right direction; call me at 603-329-8281; or email me at blaine22@comcast.net.  Also, please do come to the monthly business meetings.  The Friends want and need your input and ideas.  Don’t be shy!
 
*This coming November our annual auction will be held at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, NH.  This new auction venue promises to be exciting as well as warm and inviting, and still conveniently close by.  All members will automatically be entered in a drawing for a chance to win 2 admission tickets for a fun evening at the auction, meals are included.  GOOD LUCK!
 
In closing, I would like to thank each and every one of you.  Your membership in the Friends has been vital to the success of our library and in providing the many things our community has come to enjoy year after year.  We are so fortunate to have a library such as ours; complete with a staff of talented, dedicated individuals and behind the scenes, not wizards with wands but a great group of people who are aptly called "The Friends of the Hampstead Public Library”.
 
Happy 50th Anniversary
Marcia A. Blaine
President