News
Meriden Public Library News
Web Site:
http://www.meridenlibrary.org
105 Miller Street,
Meriden, CT 06450
- 4213
Tel: (203) 630-4621
Fax: (203) 238-6950
Our library is a center for information, community activities, independent learning and family literacy providing free access to books, audio and visual recordings, educational programs, and digital information accessed by ever-changing technology.
View all News Articles for Meriden Public Library
In honor of the thousands of volunteers who, as li ...
April 27, 2003
In honor of the thousands of volunteers who, as library Friends give of their time and talents to enhance library capabilities and services in Connecticut, April is being celebrated as Friends of the Library Month in Connecticut. In support of the observance, sponsored by the Friends of Connecticut Libraries (FOCL), award winning poet, playwright and author of more than 35 books for children, Mary Ann Hoberman has been named as honorary spokesperson. Over 140 Connecticut libraries including Meriden, have active Friends of the Library groups. Their undertakings vary from library to library, but usually include book sales and other fundraising activities, proceeds from which are devoted to producing cultural, entertainment and book discussion programs, purchase of needed equipment and supplies and other expenditures not within the library's budget. At many libraries Friends volunteer in assisting with library activities such as outreach to the homebound, helping at children's programs, and many other vital library activities. Friends are passionate advocates for library service. Meriden Public Library will feature an exhibit marking Friends of the Library month. Mary Ann Hoberman has been a fan of libraries since childhood. According to her, as a child, "The sidewalk running from home to the library...was literally my lifeline, nourishing my mind and spirit, stimulating my imagination, leading me directly to my life's calling. All of those books that I carried back and forth every Saturday morning, that I read and often reread and sometimes eventually knew by heart, were written by authors. Another magical word. When I grew up, I would be one, too!" Mary Ann is the author of critically acclaimed books for children including the winner of the 1983 American Book Award, A HOUSE IS A HOUSE FOR ME, hailed by the New York Times as "A brisk, even headlong rhyme (which) plunges us into a swirling cluster of images... It's an astonishing picture book, one of the best of the year." Other successful Hoberman works include MISS MARY MACK, an adaptation of the children's clapping rhyme: ONE OF EACH, a story in which a dog Oliver Tolliver learns the value of sharing; and THE SEVEN SILLY EATERS, in which a mother is worn out trying to feed her seven children, none of whom will eat the same thing. In November 2003 she will receive the Poetry for Children Award of the National Council of Teachers of English. Libraries throughout the state will be celebrating Friends of the Library Month, which includes National Library Week (April 6 to 12) with displays about their Friends, featuring Mary Ann's books and her thoughts about the importance of libraries. They will encourage more people in their communities to join their Friends group. Based in Middletown, the Friends of Connecticut Libraries supports and coordinates activities of local Friends groups, thereby stimulating good library service and enriching the cultural opportunities available to the people of Connecticut.
Member News is provided as a service of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce and is also featured in the monthly "Chamber News" newsletter mailed to members.
The “original publication date” of Member News articles posted on this web site reflects the date this article was added to the Chamber database and may not necessarily reflect the date such news events occurred.