Volunteer appreciation is in full swing this week throughout the Island. One place that is especially thankful at this time, and all year, is the NEMI Public Library at 50 Meredith Street in Little Current.
Patrons who meet the frontline staff—Jake Marion, head librarian; librarian Angela Crosby, and assistant Karen Gallo—may not be aware of all the many small tasks which volunteers perform behind the scenes. These add up to a big contribution of time to help keep the library a topnotch much used service.
Not everyone realizes that the members of the Library Board are unpaid volunteers who give many hours to hammer out a budget and govern carefully the operation of a facility where everyone can access information and find helpful programs. Currently, along with Chairperson Karen Nesbitt, the board consists of Rosemary Burnett, Maureen Armstrong, Dorothy Atchison, Michael Easton, Nina Coates, Laurie Cook (Town Rep) and Ned Martin. Mayor Al MacNevin takes a special interest in the library; Jake Marion has invited him to attend as many board meetings as he can.
An important group are the Library Outreach volunteers, led by Wendy Gauthier and Ellie Miller, who have provided book visits to the elderly and to shutins for over five years.
Of course, Little Current Library has become known for its regular displays of local art, and for the art activities that take place there, thanks again to help from enthusiastic volunteers.
So if you have repaired books, displayed artworks, prepared refreshments at events, climbed ladders, helped move shelves, distributed posters, volunteered your truck, or done any of the hidden tasks that make our library special: thank you!
