By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
The Friends of the Library had their end-of-the-year potluck on Dec. 4, celebrating the holidays and looked back on a successful year. The Friends of the Library has been the main support and fundraiser for the Fluvanna County Public Library. They are mostly volunteers who are avid readers with a passion for knowledge. Among their many accomplishments are the movies shown on Friday, the book sale, which is their biggest fundraiser – and a lot of work for volunteers – and monthly speakers. They are at work daily at the library doing whatever is needed to assist staff.
This year, the FOL book sale brought in $27,355.50. Sponsors contributed an additional $1,800.00, and the bake sale made $546.50. All of this was possible because of the work of FOL volunteers.
To thank the volunteers, a brunch was given, catered by Jonnay Groome’s Culinary Arts students at FCHS. The students delightfully presented, cooked, baked, and created some amazing food for the occasion. The menu offered raspberry orange scones, delicate blueberry muffins with fresh blueberries and a strudel topping, cheese-nut balls with pretzels instead of toothpicks, and deviled eggs. There was chicken and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Library Director, Cyndi Hoffman is credited with having a vision of making the library more than a quiet place to read and study. It’s now a hub of activity for the whole community, and with the help of FOL, it’s what a community center should be with children’s programs, art, speakers, meetings, and more.
