REPORT OF THE FRIENDS DIVISION - LEGISLATIVE DAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

[Ted]

REPORT OF THE FRIENDS DIVISION - LEGISLATIVE DAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

With materials provided by Karen Goff and Susan Hayden of the West
Virginia Library Commission, Tony Simon [West Liberty University
graduate and friend of the Moundsville library] and I assembled the
display table shortly after 8:00 a.m. We re-assembled it when Judy
Rule offered extra table cloths. Individual letters to all 134
legislators were delivered by Tony and Susan Reilly of Moundsville.

The background for the display was comprised of the READ photos from
last year's Legislative Day. We had too many photos, so not all
libraries/legislators were exhibited. Cabell County Public Library
loaned items, including an impressive proclamation from the mayor,
honoring the library. Cabell County also donated a bag of bite-sized
candy -- 100 pieces.

Statistics: We had 400 brochures at the display AND at the
registration table for the reception. There were 32 remaining. We
had 500 red-and-gold "Library Friend" ribbons. There were none left.
We could have used at least 100 more. The first 75 pieces of candy
were taken by three large, "don't mess with us" men, wearing overalls
with deep pockets. A security guard told me that they did NOT work at
the capitol.

Anecdotal information: The display was visited by many people,
including legislators looking at their photos and librarians, three of
whom discovered they were wearing the same outfits this year that they
wore a year ago. One delegate, whose badge I couldn't read, asked for
a "bunch" of ribbons for the staffers along his hallway. He took
about 20 of them, saying that "everyone supports libraries." [He must
be a new member.] We bought the cheapest ribbons, so the tape on the
back was not sufficient. Too many ribbons kept dropping off. A lady
in the Senate President's Office stapled my ribbon to my suit pocket.

An informal discussion about reactivating the Friends Division was
held in the Childers Room of the WVLA from 3:15 to 4:00. Nine people
attended. Interesting questions were raised and stories about local
friends groups were told. Seven of the nine signed up for further
information via e-mail and the Facebook and Google groups. Their
names will soon be added to the four members at Google and eight
members at Facebook.

Here are links for your participation:

The Survey Monkey survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SQYJ8C8

To join the Facebook group on your own, go to this site:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/231816693553205

If you want to post a message to the Facebook group, use this
address: wvlaf...@groups.facebook.com

The Google Group is moderated, which means that one of the current
members must approve a new member. Also, any message sent to the
group must be approved. This action is NOT intended to suppress ideas
or stifle intellectual freedom. Rejected messages will be the ones
from spammers. Spammers have NO First Amendment rights.

http://groups.google.com/group/wvlafriends?hl=en

Ted Nesbitt

Friends Division, Interim Chair