It's spring and a good time for sprouting new ideas and projects. Combine spring, Mary Martinson, Kate Peterson and the year 2010, and you get the perfect combination for the successful germination of the Friends of Webber Park Library group.
Last October, when Hennepin County Commissioners Mark Stenglein and Mike Opat held public meetings regarding plans for the rebuilding of Webber Park Library, little was revealed regarding when the new Webber Library would be built. The minutes from recent Hennepin County Library Board meetings offer few clues, stating only "the New North/Webber Park Library on hold-property acquisition is the next step." Regardless, Mary Martinson and Kate Peterson decided to move forward with forming a Friends of Webber Park Library, an idea they had considered for some time. They invited Webber Park Librarian Ellen Burskirk, and members of the Library Foundation of Hennepin County to their block club meeting in order to gather information about starting a group. These beginnings led to the first official Friends of Webber Park Library planning meeting on April 5 at Webber Park.
Twenty-three people attended the first meeting at the park. Adam Olson, public awareness coordinator for the Library Foundation, stated that this was "by far the best turnout ever" for an initial Friends of the Library meeting. Adam stressed that the main function of a "Friends" group is to be ambassadors for our library and that our most important relationship would be with Ellen Buskirk, who could keep us informed of our libraries most pressing needs. Ellen reported that Webber Library is busier now than ever, frequently hosting 40-50 patrons at one time. She said her greatest need is funds for programming, followed by helping raise awareness of the library and the programs it offers. She emphasized that the library continues to be an active, positive force in the neighborhood.
The second meeting was held on April 19, with an equally impressive attendance of community members. Adam Olson reported that his colleagues were floored by the turnout at the first meeting. Elections were held and the results were Mary Martinson as President, Marilyn Borea-Vice President, Alan Hooker-Secretary and Kate Peterson-Treasurer. Community members enthusiastically brainstormed fundraising ideas, planned for a book sale, and established a preliminary schedule of events at which the Friends group could be present to promote the programs and needs of Webber Park Library. There was consensus that the focus of the group would be to support the needs of Webber Park Library and to promote its programs, at its present location and any future location.
2010 marks the 100th anniversary year of the Webber Park Library. Much has changed since the two story field house, with a second floor library, opened its doors to the Camden Community. I don't think benefactors Charles and Mary Webber could have imagined the technological changes of our time, but their vision has remained our asset, and I think it would please them to see a group of citizens enthusiastically caring for the libraries future. It is heartening to see people in our community continuing in stewardship of this legacy gift given to us in memory of their son, John Deere Webber. As the process moves forward there will be more opportunities for people to get involved through membership, fundraisers, programming and more. For more information about Friends groups in general visit www.supporthclib.org. Look for the Friends of Webber Park Library in the neighborhood. See you there.