Friends of the Newark Free Library records

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0592

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

The records of the Friends of the Newark Free Library in Newark, Delaware, include correspondence, newsletters, financial records, and other material documenting the organization and activities of the group. The five linear feet of material comprise records for the years 1966 to 2016. The Friends group continues to add historical records to the collection.

These records document the organizational life of a Newark volunteer group and illustrate this group's contributions to the intellectual and social life of the community. The financial and volunteer support provided by the Friends of the Newark Library is detailed in the correspondence, complete sets of minutes and newsletters, and financial documents in the collection.

The first series of the collection comprises documents which offer a narrative of the history of the Friends of the Newark Library from its inception in 1966.

The second series documents the organizational life of the group. In this series are found Board and committee minutes and reports, financial records and budgets, publicity files, and records of the Friends affiliations with local, state, and national organizations and agencies. This series overlaps with the third series, Activities, Projects, Programs and Events. Information about and planning for the events and programs sponsored by the Friends of the Newark Free Library are evident in the minutes and reports.

The third series consists of the Friends of the Newark Free newsletters and files related to specific activities, programs, projects, or events. For example there are substantial files regarding the fundraising and work toward renovating the Charles Park sculpture, "The Student."

Dates

Creation: 1966-2016

Creator

Friends of the Newark Free Library (Newark, Del.) (Organization)

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, https://library.udel.edu/static/purl.php?askspec

Institutional Note

The Friends of the Newark Free Library was formally organized on March 24, 1966. Approximately one hundred charter members created the friends group to "promote knowledge and understanding of the functions, resources, services and needs of the library; to encourage gifts, endowments, and bequests to the library; and to help the library develop its services and facilities for the Newark community."

The organizational meeting in 1966 reflected the efforts of four Newark women: Miriam Willis, Mae Carter, Marjorie Purcell, and Carmen Nelson. During the year prior they visited libraries in Maryland and Pennsylvania, studied literature on libraries, and were assisted by a League of Women Voters study of the Newark Library. The formation of the Friends group presented the best solution to assisting the library.

Since 1966 the Friends of the Newark Free Library have offered financial support as well as volunteer labor to enhance the services of the Newark Library. The Friends have raised funds for a variety of projects and programs. A substantial fundraising effort was needed for the restoration of "The Student," a life-size outdoor sculpture created by Charles Park which graces the entrance of the Library.

The Friends assist with children's programs by providing incentives for the summer reading programs and initiating book give-aways for children. In addition the Friends of the Newark Library coordinate art displays for the library and sponsor musical programs at the library. Books for the book study groups, laptop computers for teaching, and maintaining the photocopy machines for use by library patrons are additional resources and services made available by the organization.

Friends of the Newark Free Library webpage. http://www.friendsofthenewarkfreelibrary.webs.com (accessed March 12, 2009)."The Founding of the Friends of the Newark Free Library," speech given by Carmen Nelson on May 4, 1986, to mark the 20th anniversary of the organization. (MSS 592 Box 1 F1)