NEWSLETTER No. 9 December 1987 Dear Friend of the Library "A YEAR IN THE LIFE NEW BEGINNINGS In November 1986 a small group of strangers answered the call of a notice in the Library inviting new members for the Friends of the Library, which I had not been aware of before. At our initial meeting on November 12th, 1986, we learned that the Friends had existed in the Library for several years but had "recently lapsed somewhat in membership and organization". The list of members showed forty-two names including us new recruits. GROWTH How have we grown? Let me count the ways ... Membership has more than doubled and is now nudging one hundred, and even though numbers at our monthly meetings are relatively small, the Seminar Room is beginning to feel smaller each time, which is a good sign. We are growing in confidence and effectiveness, as we get to know each other and gain experience in our activities. From the rather tentative beginnings of this "renaissance" of the Friends, we have been helped and guided, gently but firmly, by Dawn Sikula, a member of the Library Board, and Jack Mounce, Chief Librarian. Their wise advice and steady encouragement, combined with a "loose rein", have been the ideal combination in helping our esprit de corps to develop and gradually take over the momentum of our activities. We are a happy group and work well together, and those who have taken on 1987 executive duties, please take a bow for jobs well done, specifically Elsbeth Lee, Eileen de Bues, Anne Fletcher, Shirley Smirke, Pat Scrivener and Audrey Hardman.·