West University Branch Library Annual Narrative, 1986

1986 PAGE 4 WEST UNIVERSITY BRANCH LIBRARY ANNUAL NARRATIVE FRIENDS OF THE WEST UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Friends of the Library poured hundreds of dollars into the collection in 1986. was the RENDEVOUS HOUSTON videotape of the Houston Festival Laser show. Many of our high demand best sellers continuelto be purchased They also spent money on mystery, romance, western, children's And they continue to provide puppet shows and special events. FOL Perhaps one of their most popular contributions by FOL. young adult and reading list paperbacks, funds for children's programs provided the membership fee for us to join the Children's Book Council . They also purchased special shelving for the toddler's board book collection. The Spring and Fall book sales continue to be popular events. Three goals are achieved: people are pleased to have a worthy cause to contribute their cast off books to, other people love to buy the books at discount prices at the sales, and, the Friends do so many good things with the money earned at the sales. A 1986/87 annual circular was mailed to all Friends at the turn of the year. Articles about the library and the Friends were included. This was the first year such an effort was made and we hope to continue the custom next year. West University Friends joined the Countywide Friends group at They hope to be able to send a representative the end of the year. to some of the meetings next year. Our Friends group is not very active compared to some of the other groups in the County, but the people that join seem truly appreciative of the library and its resources. They find joining FOL to be a good way to express that appreciation. Memberships totaled sixty nine in 1986. STAFF November found us interviewing for a new Assistant Branch Librar We were lucky to soon find Nell who made short work of settling in at the branch. Long time Substitute Desk Assistant Jane Christopher resigned in June. On AUgust 18th Jane died of lung cancer. A memorial fund established in her name brought in a deluge of checks from friends and relatives around the country. Her husband, Dan Christopher, was enthusiastic about using the funds to purchase new shelving for us. A memorial plaque will be installed on the shelf. Judy Freeman, former part-time Desk Assistant, joined us again in September as Substitute Desk Assistant. Bill Tartt and Randy Axelrad continued as Desk Assistants. Nell was quick to notice their high levels of competance and training when she joined us this fall. The staff has done a tremendous job of riding the waves of change experienced during the automation process. We have had many compliments on the friendliness and helpfulness of our after Debbie Lodge resigned. lan Sanders as is only fitting, considering we are "the best little library inside the loop". I continued as Branch Librarian and completed my second year as a member of the Continuing Education Committee. The five hard working staff members at West University are not the only ones responsible for our library's success in the community. A truer picture involves dozens of other HCPL workers too numerous to name, including those in Technical Services, Acquisitions, Delivery offices of the Specialists, Administration and in the branches. The combined efforts of all these departments is what makes West Univer¬ sity tick. Good teamwork in 1986! * * Actual natron comment.