Who We Are
We're anything but FOSSILs. Yet that's an acronym we sometimes whimsically use to refer to the Friends of the Salem Library (FOSL) an organization you'll learn to love. Far from belonging to the past, we have our sights set on helping the Salem Public Library reach it's full potential as a learning center full of vitality, vim and vigor.
The focus is on books and reading. But there's more: Storytelling,
videos, newspapers, magazines, nationwide telephone directory
service, business directories, investment guides, research
sources for school projects and genealogy. The list
goes on and on:
- A community meeting room.
- Literacy tutoring space.
- Art displays.
- Internet access.
- Electronic reference to find newspapers and magazine
articles on your topic.
- Computerized access to the catalogs of every public
library in Salem, Roanoke City, Botetourt County, and
Roanoke County.
Where We've Been
Support groups
for public libraries are nothing new or rare, but there
must be a spark. Salem Friends trace their roots to a
casual conversation in September, 1988, between Joyce
M. Foster and Earnestine Woodliff Lewis, former children's
librarian of the Salem Public Library. Acting on their
ideas, Mrs. Foster became the Friends organizer, mentor
and first president. (1988-90).
Over the years, The Salem Friends have enrolled numerous families as members and boosters. More formally , Friends of the Salem library is charted as a non-stock corporation under Virginia law and holds tax exempt status for Federal taxation purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Simply put, that means gifts to the Friends are tax deductible.
Early on, Salem Friends were active in the campaign that resulted in the 1990-91 expansion and renovation of the library on Salem's Library Square.
FOSL Presidents have included Peggy "Jackie" Cook (d.1991); Paul H. Simpkins; Grace J. Thomas; Alice P. Paine and Dee Rose
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Where We're Going
Our goal is to intensify public attention
on the library, its resources and services; to become
personally involved in rallying citizens, support to assure
adequate library funding at the municipal and state levels;
and to encourage gifts and bequests to the library.
How We Got There
Increasing membership
is the one sure way to expand our support base. Membership
is open to any citizen, at any of several membership levels.
Please pick up a membership application form at the library
or, better yet, attend one of our meetings.
What We're Doing
Book Sale
Our most visible project is the book sale in September.
Friends andlibrary patrons donate hundreds of books, bringing
them to the library in the summer months prior to the
sale. Members sort, price, display and sell them to the
public during Olde Salem Days, usually the second Saturday
of September.. Proceeds benefit library activities and
needs.
Labels for Education
Labels from Campbell soup cans and other products are recycled into vital library equipment through this popular, successful project, the brainchild of member Carol K. Coughlan, which received her dedicated attention for over 10 years.
Patrons place
qualifying labels and symbols from Campbell, Franco-American,
Pace, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Swanson, and V8 products*
into a collection box at the library. Volunteers sort
through the labels and symbols and assemble the correct
quantity and type for redemption. The result: Video and
audio cassette players, three typewriters, a world globe
in relief, a portable sound system an opaque projector
- all in service at the library. ( *See the complete list
of labels and symbols at the library.)
Tax Assistance
Although the
program ended in 2005, volunteers offered help in
preparing tax returns at the library since 1985. Through
FOSL efforts, computers, printers and software were made
available to the volunteers. During tax season, FOSL members
served as receptionists and the library provided tax forms,
instructions and reference materials. Some taxpayers receiving
assistance made voluntary contributions to the Salem Friends.
Direct Funding
The Salem Friends have funded many programs and equipment
purchases for the library: Summer Reading, Morning Coffee
for Patrons, permanent Christmas tree, a Heritage Quilt,
display case, bulletin board, filmstrip projector, television
set, plaques, video tape cleaners, Ellison die cutter,
computer work stations, film series for high school English
classes.
Memorials
Memorial contributions in any amount are welcomed and acknowledged. If preferred, a contribution may be directed to the Memorial Book Fund, which is used to pay for special books on the library's acquire list; a memorial bookplate is affixed to the book.
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How You Can Help
Join the Friends of the Salem Library. Then send a donation to the Friends or, if you wish, include a donation with your dues check. The FOSL membership form is also available online. You must have Adobe Acrobat to use this form; it can be downloaded free from adobe.com. Seek the advice of your attorney to make a bequest by your will. Check with you financial advisor about gifts of securities or property to the Friends.
All of these opportunities for support benefit the Salem Public Library and have potential tax-saving advantages. A copy of our IRS determination letter and further information are available on request. For further information, write the FOSL Treasurer.
Mail to: FOSL Treasurer
Salem Public Library
28 E. Main Street
Salem, VA 24153-3897
