Friends of Yarrawonga Library (FOYL)
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2006/2007 Executive
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President: Tracey Geary; Vice President: Pat Cross; Secretary: Lorraine George;
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Treasurer: Maureen Willett; Public Officer: Phyllis Novotny; Publicity Officer: Tracey Geary
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We meet on the first Monday of each month at 3:30 pm in the Library. Any one wishing to come is welcome to these meetings. On average about 10 to 12 people usually come. These meetings are fairly informal as the emphasis is on having fun while providing much needed support to our Library. Please feel free to join us at 3pm for a cup of tea. The Library is actually closed on Mondays hence why we use it, so please knock loudly if the doors are closed.
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History
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Our organisation was formed in October 2000 to help make our Library Service the best it can be. One of the reasons for forming a Friend`s group was to provide our Library with volunteers so our Library could provide a Homebound Service for the less mobile members of our community. Yarrawonga was the first branch Library in the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation`s region to provide this service and this was due in no small measure to the determination and perseverance of a group of dedicated FOYL members.
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All organisations struggle to obtain adequate funding for all their needs so we help our Library by raising money to buy things not provided from other sources. To date we have bought : Publisher Software for Librarian`s use; CD-player for Toddlers Story Time; Trolley for second-hand book sales; Children`s table and chairs; A blind, activity mat and cushions for the Children`s area; Laminator and on-going provision of pockets for same; Two trestle tables; Magazine rack on which to display second-hand magazines for sale; chairs for the tables in the renovated Library; Anti-fatigue matting behind the circulation desk for Library Staff; Toasted Sandwich maker for Library Staff; and supplied prizes for competitions run by Library. At present we are lobbying Moira Shire Council for permission to raise money to provide our Library with a late book returns chute. This will be a modern electronically controlled device that has access restricted to library card holders and is fire-proof and vandal resistant and hence costs a lot of money so we are keen to help raise funds to provide one.
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We raise the money by running raffles, selling second-hand books, magazines and videos that have been donated to the Library, and providing a laminating and document binding service to the community through the Library service. We have also received financial support from various organisations and businesses in Yarrawonga and Mulwala. The Mulwala Water Ski Club kindly donated $500.00 to us to pay for the insurance we needed when we first started our incorporation and homebound volunteering. Capri Waters Country Club has provided us with a $900.00 holiday package for 4 people twice which have enabled us to raise over $3000 by raffling the holiday packages. Other businesses that have supported us are: Kelly`s Books; Farrell`s Car Detailing; Nathan`s Hair Design; Amcal Chemist; Videoland Yarrawonga; Paradise Queen Cruises; Yarrawonga Post Office; Terminus Hotel; and the Golden Inn Chinese Restaurant (at the Ski Club).
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FOYL also helps the Library Staff by providing volunteers to help with other activities too. We have helped staff unload, stack, store and re-load shelving when renovations have been carried out to the building on a couple of occasions. We have also helped by providing supper at some Library functions, eg. Writers on the Road and, early in 2005, the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Library.
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It is not all hard work though as we do try to have a few social functions each year. We have had guest speakers giving a talk on topics of interest; an annual `Christmas in July`; an annual Christmas outing; Trivia nights; and co-hosted (with Yarrawonga Arts Council) a display of Iraqi Women`s Quilts.
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A monthly newsletter has also been produced and about 60 copies circulated. This newsletter has been very popular and not just amongst FOYL members. A lot of Library Patrons also look forward to their monthly fix of jokes and general interest articles.
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