Should Northfield's Friends of the Library Become a Foundation?

Editor's note: The Library Round Table features several guest columnists from the Northfield Public Library. This piece is from Leesa Wisdorf, reference and youth services manager.

The Friends of the Northfield Public Library have had a busy year. They helped with the library’s centennial celebration, walked in the Jesses James parade, held a spelling bee to raise several thousand dollars for the library, and sponsored the annual model train show during the Winter Walk—an event that drew 1,700 people to the library.

Behind the scenes the Friends have also had a busy year. The Board of the Friends of the Library held meetings the first Tuesday of each month.

During 2010, the board met three times with representatives from the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library to discuss what it would mean for the Northfield Friends to transition into a foundation. This fundamental change in the structure of the Friends has been a source of study, discussion and deliberation between Friends Board members and Library Board members.

Becoming a Foundation would allow the Friends to help support the library in many new ways. It requires a change in the current bylaws. The Friends Executive Committee members mailed all dues-paying members of the Friends of the Library an explanatory letter and a ballot. More than half of the ballots were submitted by the Feb. 15 deadline, almost all affirmative. However, a few members had concerns, which the Friends Board is working to resolve.

The Friends will hold their annual meeting at 7 p.m. April 5 at the Library Meeting Room. Henry Emmons will talk about his new book The Chemistry of Calm.  

This meeting is free and open to the public.  Please call the Library at 645-6606 for more information or to make disability accommodations.