The Orcas Library will combine an Open House, volunteer appreciation, and the Friends of the Library Annual Meeting on Friday, Sept. 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Library Director Phil Heikkinen said, “This is an unusual event in that it will combine the Friends of Orcas Island Library Annual Meeting, a Volunteer Appreciation meeting, an open house, an update on the State of the Library, and discussion about the idea of an addition to the building. We’ll be packing a lot of content into two hours – plus food.”
Highlights of the event include:
• An appreciation of the more than 60 active Library volunteers to thank them for their ongoing work, which adds the equivalent of another two full-time employees to the library staff, according to Heikkinen.
• Opening up the staff area to the public, highlighting the recent workroom expansion which added 700 square feet of storage and work areas, with appreciation for the donors and volunteers that made it possible.
• Presenting some of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps library operations going, and which the public normally doesn’t see.
• The Friends of Orcas Island Library Annual Meeting, including highlights of the past year, introduction of new board members, and upcoming plans.
• A summary of the State of the Library over the past year or so and current initiatives such as the Crossroads Lecture Series, Lifelong Learning classes (such as a birding class, English as a Second Language, and book discussion and writing groups), the Whole Islands Catalog project, and the Chess Club.
• A presentation about the idea of a new building addition, including results of recent community and user surveys and an invitation for further community input. Some of the priorities people have mentioned so far include adding more books and other materials, creating a Quiet Reading Room, adding more space for kids and teens, and creating a separate computer lab, said Heikkinen.
• Refreshments provided by The Kitchen.
For more information or comments, contact Phil Heikkinen at the library, 376-4985, or pheikkinen@orcaslibrary.org.
