Current Friends members who are pictured: (left to right from group photo): Lyla Grills (Mendon Public Library Director), Kathy Dombrowski, Nancy Holtby, Linda Goodrum (Vice President), Mary Church (President), Charlene Fisk (Treasurer), Andrea Hills and Colleen Burgoyne. Photo by Kelly Paganelli
On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, The Friends of the Mendon Public Library (FMPL) honored outgoing President, Nancy Holtby with the installation of a special brick in the garden outside the library. For the last eight years, Nancy Holtby has dedicated a great deal of time and talent to lead the group as president. Under Nancy’s leadership, FMPL upgraded the interior spaces of the library with new shelving, furniture, and amenities. Outside, FMPL donated benches and funded landscaping improvements. All the while, FMPL continued to offer financial backing so that our programs and events are fun, informative, and open to all. With a background in law, Nancy worked tirelessly to make sure the kids, teens and adults in our community found a warm, welcoming and safe place to gather at the Mendon Public Library. This year, Nancy steps down as FMPL President. A new brick in the library garden acknowledges her dedication with the following statement, “With thanks to Nancy Holtby, a true Friend.”
Thankfully, another wonderful community member, Mary Church, has stepped up to lead FMPL. Mary brings a tremendous love of reading along with nearly 50 years of experience in writing, editing, public relations and marketing. She is dedicated to continuing the work begun by over a century of loyal friends, starting with the Fortnightly Club of Honeoye Falls which formed the Honeoye Falls Free Library in 1912. “I love this community and am very excited to work with FMPL to support this exceptional institution,” Mary said.
So far this year, FMPL have supported the Summer Reading Program and much more! FMPL helps provide free, inclusive programming for all members of our community throughout the year. They fund our popular Take & Make Crafts, offer supplies for youth activities, and fund new and engaging toys in our Children’s area, and ongoing care for everyone’s favorite library fish, Clementine.
FMPL accomplished all this by conducting a variety of fundraisers, including their Annual Appeal, Red Library Bag Sales, Spring Flower Sale, Historic Brick Sale (just like the one inscribed for Nancy), In-Library Used Book Sale, online donations, and ROC the Day participation.
October 20-26, 2024 marks “National Friends of the Libraries Week.” The Mendon Public Library joins with libraries and communities across the country in recognizing the good work of this important volunteer group. The Mendon Public Library is a better place thanks to the support of The Friends of Mendon Public Library (FMPL).
FMPL is a 501c3 organization dedicated to enhancing our library. Friends’ meetings typically occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except summer months) and are open to everyone. The next Friends meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. You may join the Friends at any time — simply come to their next meeting. Donations to the Friends will directly help the Friends promote literacy, encourage a love of books, and foster the use of library services.
Nancy Holtby with her brick. Photo by Kelly Paganelli
Current Friends Members include:
Mary Church, President
Nancy Holtby, Past President
Linda-Ann Goodrum, Vice President
Charlene Fisk, Treasurer
Theresa Oderman, Secretary
Hanna Berga
Kathy Dombrowski
Maggie Testa-Hauck
Andrea Hills
JoAnn Kreidler
Barb Ader Mueller
Lesley Krause
Colleen Burgoyne
