GRAVETTE -- Friends of the Gravette Public Library (FOGPL) held its quarterly membership meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 15, at the Gravette Community Building. Each member of the board was introduced, and they told about where they lived and what was their favorite book or genre. Guests were then asked to introduce themselves and report their location and reading preferences.
Teresa Davis, secretary of the Friends group, read the mission statement of FOGPL, and president Roy Perrine gave a brief history of the group.
Treasurer Carole Robel distributed a financial report and told about fundraisers held since the July meeting. Fundraisers have included a book sale on Gravette Day, regular book sales on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, a smoked chicken dinner fundraiser during Pickin' Time on 59, selling hot dogs and hot chocolate at Moon Over Main Street, and distributing "Pennies for Books" bags to be filled with coins and returned to the library to help buy books.
Library manager Karen Benson and FOGPL members participated in Trick on Treat on Main Street, and they are planning a holiday open house to be held preceding the Gravette Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3. The open house will begin at 4 p.m. and members will be serving hot chocolate, hot cider, and cookies baked by members of the Jolly Good Times home extension club.
A brainstorming session was held on potential fundraisers and events to support the library. Guests were asked to answer the questions, "What do you think are important ways to support the library?" and "What ideas do you have for increasing membership and participation?" A game night was a popular fundraising idea, and it was suggested to have a membership table at summer reading program events.
Each person present was given a certificate for a free book from the book sale room, and a door prize drawing was held with each person choosing a prize. Guests enjoyed refreshments of hot drinks, assorted meats and cheeses, crackers and cookies.