A mix of thirty Friends, directors, assistant directors, a library trustee, MBLC Commissioner Michele Mann, and regional staff met on a snowy Saturday at the Hamilton-Wenham Library. The meeting was initiated by Marcia Molay and Doris Gallant of the Hamilton-Wenham Friends, who were very interested in the Fall meeting of MFOL, but felt that Northampton was just a bit too far away. They thought that by gathering in a smaller, more local group of Friends, folks could share discussion and ideas about library programs, book sale work, benefits for members, and increasing community participation.

Represented were the public libraries from Beverly, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton-Wenham, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody, Newbury, Wakefield, plus a guest from Seabrook, NH. The meeting was lively and informal. It included introductions, discussion of successful Friends' events, the cost of membership, and strategies to revive membership.

The group is interested in meeting twice a year and next time would like to talk exclusively about book sales. Meeting dates and times will be announced on the NMRLS discussion list and in the NMRLS newsletter.

Thank you to the Hamilton-Wenham Friends and Shirley Raynard, Interim Library Director, for their hospitality. The food was delicious and everyone loved the tour of the beautiful new facility!

For more information, please contact Greg Pronevitz or Mary Behrle.