Bega Valley Friends of the Libraries, Inc.

History

Friends of the Libraries, Bega Valley Shire commenced in November 2002 at the instigation of John Scott, the Librarian at the time.

The Friends aim to help the libraries by:

Promoting
-the Library and its services by conducting or assisting to conduct, lectures addresses classes, functions, social gatherings and other activities associated with books and reading and related interests
-Promotions to encourage appreciation of the Library and its value to all sections of the community.

Lobbying
We lobby local Councillors and State and Federal politicians regularly to try and improve the funding for the Libraries of the Bega Valley Shire.
When Council threatened to close branch libraries as a cost cutting measure in 2006, Friends were a focus for the community to express their anger at this decision and were able to get the decision overturned.

At election time, both local and state, we ask candidates questions about their views on the value of libraries and their support for libraries. We have their responses published to give information to voters.

Fundraising
We have held many fundraising events over the years. One steady income earner is selling  second hand books outside the polling booths at election time. We have expanded to selling the books at local markets and find this is a good way to make a bit of money and promote Friends and the services of the Libraries.

We have had several dinners with Guest speakers. Local author Mark Mckenna talked to us about his book Looking for Blackfellas Point. Tim Metcalf organised a dinner with a Poetry theme and we had another dinner , ‘a Grave Concern’ with Fiona Firth speaking about local history and history of local cemeteries. Bishop Tom Frame , an Anglican Bishop, scholar and author talked about his life and writings including his history of the Voyager disaster.

We also had a very successful series of talks ‘Voices in the Gallery’. These are summarised on another page on this web site.
 
Grants
While fundraising can get some funds in to buy more books and resources for the libraries, Friends also like to apply for grants to bring more services, books and resources into the Bega Valley Libraries. To this end the Friends became incorporated in 2008. As an incorporated group we can receive and acquit grants from various organisations.

Since 2002 Friends have provided more than $19.000 in resources of the Bega Valley Libraries

Children’s books            $1351.13
Craft Books                  $400.00       
History Books              $250.00
Magazine subscription            $50.00
Poetry , Australian Literature          $350.00
Science Books                   $600.00
Tom Frame Books                $80.00
Community Notice Board            $461.74
(Mumbulla Foundation Grant)   
Internet Courses             $4400.00
Mumbulla Foundation Grant
Internet Courses            $1,000.00
Audio-Navigators            $2,600.00
Grants from Mumbulla Foundation, Robin Hood Service Club and Merimbula Rotary
Internet Courses            $1,500.00
Library Week 2003 with Far South Coast Community College
HSC Resources            $6,000.00
Rural and Regional Foundation Grant with Rotary.

Local Music Collection
Dr Tim Metcalf has been a good friend since the inception of the group and was secretary for many years.
He initiated many activities including the Voices in the Gallery program and was always keen to make sure local writing including poetry was included in the Library’s collection.
Another of Tim’s initiatives is the Local Music collection. Music recordings of local artists are kept in the collection, one copy for borrowing and another to keep as a permanent record of the diversity and talent of our local recording artists.

Country Public Library Association Conference, Merimbula 2007
This conference included delegates from all over country NSW. Friends assisted with registrations. We also showcased some of our wonderful local gourmet produce to the delegates and were able to make some money to fund Friends activities.

Great Book Expectations: Book Week, 2008
During Book Week in August 2008 we held a series of events highlighting books and reading and writers. In Bermagui   Keith Fennel, an ex SAS member, and Judy Horacek, a visual artist and writer, talked about their lives and writing. In Pambula local authors talked about their books. Theatre Onset performed a play based on the first section of Rowan Of Rin, a book by Emily Rodda. We also had talks by Diploma of Education students about encouraging boys to read.  Stephen Matthews talked about publishing in the information and digital age.

Bega Valley Friends of the Libraries became an incorporated, not for profit organisation in 2008

In 2009 we are planning more activities for Book Week.