Friends group organizes

A half dozen Whiting residents are taking the first steps toward establishing a not-for-profit charitable corporation that would help fund improvements at the historically neglected Whiting Free Library.

The residents attended a preliminary meeting of the Friends of Whiting Free Library last night, briefly discussing the status of the library, the process of forming a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code and possible fundraising events. Library Trustees Tammy Wilbur and Heather Mattison were on hand to facilitate the discussion.

The Whiting Free Library occupies a former Baptist church on Route 30 near the town's four corners. The structure is in dire need of repair and upgrade. It has no electricity, no heat and no plumbing. Due to its shortcomings and its lack of budget for a staff, the library is open only in the summer and only for brief periods. The current schedule includes children's storytime sessions on summer Wednesdays at 10 a.m., "Adult Social" sessions Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and "Summer Activity" on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.

Noting the lack of bathroom facilities at the library, Trustee Heather Mattison joked that library visitors "have to plan ahead."

The Town of Whiting has studied a number of possibilities for improvements to the library structure, including moving the library further south on Route 30 to be closer to the Town Hall and the Whiting School. Some thought has been given to incorporating town offices into a new library building. Funding for any improvements is lacking, according to Trustee Tammy Wilbur, who also serves part-time as librarian.

The forming Friends group is hopeful of obtaining financial grants to partly cover building costs and is seeking the assistance of an experienced grant writer.

Members mulled extending the library's open hours through volunteerism, helping to "card" and organize the library's book collections and raising funds through book sales and less typical events, such as a "Kiss the Pig" contest. Wilbur said a number of local personalities already have offered to take part in a "Kiss the Pig" fundraiser, in which residents vote through cash contributions on who must kiss a local hog on the snout. The "winner" delivers the swine-smooch at a public event.

The group decided that its first task would be adopting by-laws. Members agreed to research the by-laws of other Friends organizations and report back their findings at an April 11 meeting, 7 p.m. at the town hall. The group hopes that other interested residents will attend.

LINKS:
Friends of Libraries USA Sample Bylaws
Friends of the Burnham (Colchester VT) Memorial Library Bylaws
Friends of the Platt Memorial (Shoreham VT) Library Website
Friends of the Rockingham (VT) Library Inc. Bylaws
Friends of the Weathersfield (VT) Proctor Library Incorporated Bylaws
New Hampshire State Library Sample Friends Group Bylaws