About the Friends of the Library

Mission Statement

The Monroe County Public Library Foundation (Friends) supports the mission, vision, and values of the Library. The Friends advocates for the Library and supports Library collections, services, programs, and staff development.

 

Contact

Office Manager: Mary Jean Regoli, 812-349-3050 ext. 1080; fol [at] mcpl.info (subject: Friends%20of%20the%20Library%20question%2Fcomment)
Bookstore Operator: Mike Burns, 812-349-3083

 

Board 

  • President: Patsy Rahn
  • Vice President: Harriet Castrataro
  • Secretary: Elspeth Hayden
  • Treasurer: Tom Zoss
  • Bookstore Committee Chair: Mary Kennedy
  • Coffee with Friends Committee Chair: Emily Alford
  • Finance Committee Chair: Thomas Zoss
  • Hospitality Committee Chair: Carol Pierce
  • Marian Armstrong Exhibit Committee Chair: Deloice Holliday
  • Membership Committee Chair: Elspeth Hayden and Sarah Ruggles
  • Nominating: Carolyn Calloway-Thomas
  • Power of Words Committee: Andrew Rhoda, Neil Klein, Doug McKinney, and Mary Wiggins

 

Annual Reports

Published at the end of June, annual reports include a summary of activities, fiscal information, and a list of Friends staff, officers, and board members.

2021 ·  2018  ·  2017  ·  2016  ·  2015  ·  2014  ·  2013  ·  2012  ·  2011  ·  2010  ·  2009  ·  2008  ·  2007  ·  2006  ·  2005  ·  2004

 

Library Bears

The Library bears were a gift from the Friends, dedicated in 1997. They were purchased to enhance the plaza on Kirkwood Avenue, and to celebrate the Library as the center of the community. The bears are made from local limestone and together weigh 4.5 tons. Sculptor Karl Schiefer saw the bears as a family group and hoped that the community would recognize the unity represented by the bears. The Friends held a naming ceremony on June 1, 2008 in celebration of International Children's Day. The winning names were Sunny (the walking or father bear, named by Francis Sun, age 4), Luna (the mother bear, named by Olivia Pate, age 11), and Snowdrop (the baby, named by Amara Crook, age 9).

 

Little Free Library

The Friends installed several Little Free Libraries around Bloomington. Through the Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Locate a Little Free Library.

   
Updated January 20, 2023