What does being a Friend mean to me?

When i started homeschooling my kids i discovered i needed adult conversation, and that my kids needed time away from me to explore their own interests, so we made the library a part of our weekly routine. i went to one book club meeting and talked so much that one woman, after the meeting, invited me to volunteer in the bookstore. She walked me over, introduced me to Virginia, who had me fill out the application then and there and booked me for Mondays at ten! Over the following couple of years, my kids would go on to read countless books, and i would meet and engage with a good wonderful pool of patrons, mostly adults!

i was amazed by this group of, at the time, mostly older ladies, who ran this tight organization, and did it so smoothly! After i was invited to join the board, i learned it was not without its turmoil and corporate-like drama! In fact, one of my first experiences was participating in a vote to oust a board member!! If she had only organized that Spring Tea fundraiser! Amazed, i tell you! Thoroughly impressed!

As a Friend of the library, i have learned about fundraising, about accounting, about running a store, about marketing and social media, and a lot of practice in working with others to accomplish a common goal...one that would come to serve others more than it ever would serve me or my family alone. It is this last lesson that has become most important to me...working with others. Colette, and now Ramie, Susan, Nancy, Virginia, Leonor, Toni and Vivian and Sergio, (and Arlene, Eunice and Alison, may they rest in peace) have worked with laser-sharp focus to get their jobs done, so much to admire of each of them, such a privilege to work with them that i cannot even form a proper sentence here. i lower my proper pronoun cases in humility (thank you e.e. cummings) and to show what an honor it is for me to work with them.

My kids are older, but here i am still. i could say, a friend of the library, but honestly, it has been more of a friend to me: without it, i'd be missing out on some of the most valuable friendships of my life.

I hope you can consider joining the board of the Friends, or volunteering at the bookstore. Nominate a friend, or nominate yourself at our June meeting. See our current newsletter for details.
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-Veronica Hernandez-Arce
Secretary, FODCL