Friends of Eufaula Memorial Library will launch their new year with a recap of the library’s accomplishments during the past year.

The presentation by Amanda Grantham, branch manager, and other staff members will not happen at a luncheon, as has been customary. Instead, it will be at a 1 p.m. meeting in the Follansbee room on Friday, Jan. 17, and only light refreshments will be served.

Why the new time? A recent survey of Friends members indicated the majority preferred an afternoon meeting to the usual 11:30 a.m. luncheon, and food did not rate high in their priorities.

The new year’s agenda will feature more educational speakers, as desired by more than 80 percent of the surveyed audience, 100 percent of whom said they’d be willing to bring a guest.

Guests are important because many become members, and dues are an important source of income for the Friends.

At a Friend’s Jan. 7 board meeting, Friend President Gail Rose said, “We’re pleased to respond to our members desires with a new time and new agenda, but one thing will never change—the Friends’ purpose ” The purpose as stated in the bylaws is to “encourage understanding, enjoyment, and public use of the educational and cultural facilities at the library, and to cooperate when appropriate, with other groups to improve the cultural and educational activities of the community.”

How have the Friends done this in the past? By contributing financially when the library needed help.

In 2024 their donation totaled $12,921 to help with library programming and newspaper ad, a sign to recognize employees, a library birthday party, the Veterans’ Memorial bricks project, and the Veterans’ reception to present Memorial Bricks.

Where did that $12,921 come from? Besides membership dues, the Friends received a $500 award from FOLIO (Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma) for the Veterans’ Memorial brick project.

They also dug into their longstanding building fund to help out with the library’s extensive renovation expenses.

Fundraising projects will be ongoing because the Friends try to be ready whenever the library has financial needs.

Past donations helped with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library kick-off, power washing the library’s outside, cleaning up after renovations, removing unused planters from the library yard.

Perhaps the most beloved Friends’ project is the StoryWalk on Eufaula Cove. Friends’ members change the story each month and advertise upcoming children’s programs at the library. Many runners and joggers have expressed appreciation for this StoryWalk.

If you too would like to help support Eufaula Memorial Library, please become a Friend by paying $5 yearly dues at the upcoming Jan. 17 meeting or by contacting members or go to FEML@gmail.com or call Gail Rose at 918770-2440.

“Just think what we could accomplish,” said Rose, Friends’ president, “if anyone who’s ever walked into the library to check out a book, or take a class, or use a computer became a Friend.”

The Friends hope that will happen in 2025.