May 2007THE YEAR IN REVIEW The mission of the Friends of the ODU Library is to support the library by volunteering, increasing visibility and understanding, and providing financial resources. The Friends made significant contributions to supporting the Old Dominion University Library in all these ways during the 2006/2007 year. To increase visibility, the following major programs were presented during the year: * Post-Castro Cuba: Are We There Yet? was the subject of the annual Fall Forum in November. The lecture was presented by Rene Perez-Lopez, Cuban native and currently adjunct professor of Latin American politics at Old Dominion and other Virginia institutions. He offered an analysis of the evolving Cuban situation and the challenges to Castro’s successors. * Sports Writing: More Than A Game, presented a panel of local sports writers describing a range of ethical issues and discussing their perspectives on appropriate and effective responses. Moderated by Joe Cosco, teacher of sports writing at ODU, the panel participants were Bob Molinaro, Jim Ducibella, and Paul White, all sports writers for the Virginian-Pilot. * Annual Author Dinner in late April featured a presentation by Janet Peery, Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Old Dominion. Described as “one of our most acclaimed storytellers,” Perry spoke about Making It Up As You Go Along: The Writing Life. * “You’ve Got Mail,” a film shown as part of the university’s 2007 Film Festival, was sponsored by the Friends of the ODU Library and presented by Friends board member Susan Weaver. Friends provided direct service to the library and to all members of the Friends during the year. Friends memorabilia such as tee shirts, sweat shirts, tote bags, and travel mugs, all embellished with the Friends of the Library logo, were sold in conjunction with Friends events. Book sale assistance was given to the library’s staff association, which manages the annual book sale. Many Friends members donated books to the book sale, too. Individual Friends members volunteered in the library’s Special Collections department and the Diehn Composers Room. The staff appreciation reception is given by the Friends each May to recognize the library staff’s committed service to users. Friends of the Library fund-raising programs gave valuable support to the library’s services and acquisitions programs. Among the major purchases underwritten by the Friends was the JSTOR Arts and Sciences Collection, as well as the Encyclopedia of Gerontology. Membership dues supply the primary source of financial support from the Friends, but the Friends organization has another long-standing fundraising event: the shootout held at half time during the Baskets for Books game. The game this year was played against William and Mary in December, and Nick Halda of ESPN Radio 1310 competed against Norfolk Sheriff Robert J. McCabe to “earn” $25 for each basket made by either competitor for a total contribution of $425 to the Friends of the Library. The Friends of the Old Dominion University Library exists to support the development of a research library for the university and the community. During this very successful year, the major Friends programs have provided essential support for the library’s development. As the Friends of the Library continues to grow and develop, a research library for the university and the community can happen with continued help from all the library’s Friends. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING The Friends of the Old Dominion University Library will hold its annual membership meeting on Monday, June 4 at 5:30 in Room 151 of the Perry Library. An election of new Friends board members will be held during this meeting. Nominees for the open seats on the Friends board are: Jane P. Browning, noted community activist and contributor to boards and commissions Mike D’Orso, author of 15 books, including New York Times bestseller, Like Judgment Day: The Ruin and Redemption of a Town Called Rosewood Katie Fenning, fitness consultant, ODU supporter and spouse Stephen Hammond, Headmaster, St. Patrick’s Catholic School Olivia V. Osei-Sarfo, Library Manager, Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Library, Chesapeake Public Library Lona Tonelson, Librarian, Sewells Point Elementary School LIBRARY STAFF APPRECIATION RECEPTION In a tradition of long standing, the Friends of the Library board honored library staff at a reception on May 2. Board members and other Friends took the opportunity then to recognize the library’s staff and thank them personally for their committed service to library users. During the reception, awards were presented to Donna Hughes-Oldenburg, Librarian of the Year, and to Helen Ho, Library Staff Member of the Year. These annual awards were instituted by Cynthia Duncan at the close of her tenure as University Librarian. Jean Major, University Librarian Emeritus, and Virginia S. O’Herron, present University Librarian, continued to support the awards and to celebrate the achievements of the honored colleagues during the Friends’ staff appreciation reception. NEW BENEFIT FOR UPGRADED MEMBERSHIPS New this year, the Friends of the Library is able to make campus parking passes available for periods of two weeks at a time for members at the Sustaining level ($100 - $199) and above. This new benefit of membership at the leadership levels is added to existing special recognition such as a behind-the-scenes tour of the library hosted by the University Librarian, invitations to exclusive exhibit previews, reserved seating at library programs and concerts, and a personally inscribed copy of the history of the university library. All of us know the satisfaction of helping to build one of the university’s – and the community’s – most important resources by maintaining membership in the Friends of the Old Dominion University Library. That satisfaction can be even greater when your level of support is increased to a higher membership level. To upgrade your membership to one of the leadership levels, use the membership form printed on the last page of this newsletter. HONOR ROLL OF DONORS: July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007 Life Members (One-Time $1,000 Gift) University Librarian’s Circle ($1,000) Sponsor ($200 - $499) Sustaining ($100 - $199) Basic and Family Memberships in Friends of the Old Dominion University Library are held by 180 additional library friends and supporters.
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