Jackson-Madison County Library
433 East Lafayette St.
Jackson, TN 38301
731-425-8600

Little Friends Room

      The Friends of the Jackson-Madison County Library provide support for the the goals and objectives of our library, help pay for items beyond the operating budget, and  encourage the orderly development of the Jackson-Madison County Library System.  The group has contributed by:  hosting receptions and noon book reviews, supporting summer activities for children at the library, providing landscaping for the new library addition and carpeting for the children's area, initiating the formation of a Library Foundation, working with the Library Board of Trustees to promote the Library and enhance its impact upon its community.

       The Friends of the Library renovated the Little Friends Room in 1998.  They devoted nearly five years to collecting the  $10,000 used to complete this project.  Sue Blass created the design which features wall murals and a 3-dimensional tree that looks like a weeping willow with an owl sitting in it.  She was assisted in the decoration of the room by her husband, Dr. Joseph Blass and local art teachers, Pam Chambers and Nina Wright.  New furnishings also provided by the Friends make the room both functional and delightful.  

Thanks from  Elizabeth Parnell, the Children's Librarian

     A million THANKS to the Friends of the Library who have graciously provided the funds to have the Little Friends Room renovated and updated. 

     Since the major renovation was in 1998, we were in desperate need of some new carpet, paint, and a couple of other cosmetic updates.  The most obvious change is the wall color.  Don't worry -- the beautiful mural was not touched!  No way were we going to paint over that work of art!  We painted the other walls a bright blue . . . it definitely brightens up the room!

     New flooring was installed.  Half of the room is carpet tiles, and the other half is now vinyl tiles.  The vinyl flooring has created a defined "craft space" where I will no longer worry about breaking out the finger paints!

     We replaced some of the ceiling tiles that had some water damage.  And we installed ceiling fans!  During the summer, the room can get extremely hot and stuffy (especially when 50 pre-adolescents are visiting and we are getting down with the Cha-Cha Slide!) so these fans will make a huge difference.

     A big thanks to Jack Wood who was nice enough to fix our tree root, which had been damaged.  You can't even tell it was broken!  A special thank you to Mr. John Riddle and Riddle Construction Company and his crews who did a super job, and so quickly too!

     I invite all the Friends of the Library to stop by and take a peek of our updated room!  Don't hesitate to ask a staff member to open it up and let your see!

The Purpose of "Friends"

      Author Alex Haley once observed that you can tell a lot about a community by its library.  He felt a good library reflects a supportive community.  Friends of the Jackson-Madison County Library was organized to provide volunteer support for our local library.  Its members are civic minded citizens, who know  that our community will become better when our library is improved.  The Friends work for that improvement in many different ways.

     Friends of the Library members stand ready to volunteer their time and talents to improve the library by raising money for needed materials, equipment and facilities; by sponsoring, coordinating and conducting   programs for adults and children; by actively voicing the need for adequate funding for the library; and by conducting other activities that enhance the services provided by the citizens of our community.

     The Friends of the Jackson-Madison County Library need the active support of all its members.  By working together, we can reach a common goal - making the library the best it can be!

Excerpt from Volume 1, Issue 1 of Friends of the Library Newsletter

Bookends is  a publication of the Friends of the Library.

Friends of Tennessee Libraries  provides general information about the state organization, as well as a membership application.   

Meeting Times and Membership Fees

        Membership fees are:  Child/Junior - $1.00;   Adult - $10.00;  Patron - $25.00;  Benefactor - $50.00;  Sponsor - $100.00 or more.  Inquire at the circulation desk, if you would like to join.

    The Friends Board meets on the first Thursday of each quarter (January, April, July, October).

    Each fall an annual meeting is held involving a special program and guests.

     A noontime series of book reviews and presentations is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  The program is held on the first Thursday of every month, September through May from noon until 1:00 P.M. in the Board Room at the Jackson-Madison County Library.  The public is invited to bring a sandwich for lunch.  Coffee and dessert will be provided.             

Friends of the Library Book Review

Board of Directors, 2008-2009

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