Friends of the Library
About the Friends
The Friends of the Englewood Library is a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers who are dedicated to supporting and enriching the Englewood Public Library. Your membership dollars help purchase numerous materials and fund programs in addition to what is provided through the library’s annual budget.
The following are elected officers for 2013-14: Ella Urdang, president; Ann Sparanese, vice president; Cynthia Sumner, book sale vice president; Irmari Nacht, publicity vice president; Lisa Levien, membership vice president; Louise Schwartz, treasurer, and Adolfo Borromeo, secretary.
Also elected are the following board members; Serena Carson, Arnold Brown, Ann Davis, Bobbie Bouton-Goldberg, Betty Grossman, and James Cohen.
Recent Activities
Library Board, Friends seeking more city funding
The city council had allocated $2,035,870 to the 2013 library budget, which was $211,000 short of what the library officials were looking for, according to Arnold Brown, treasurer of the library’s board of trustees.
This allocation is a 1.5 percent increase from 2012.
The council then increased the appropriation to $35,000 and $70,000, to a total of $105,000.
At an earlier budget hearing, Ella Urdang, president of the Friends of the Library, said that the money coming from the city pays for the “meat and potatoes,” or the building and staff. The Friends provided most of the essentials, including buying new toys for toddlers and paying for a license that allowed the Spring Film Festival to come to life.
In 2012, the Friends donated $25,000 for library services, said Katharine Glynn, president of the library’s board of trustees.
Ann Sparanese, chair of the Friends’ advocacy committee, said that without the Friends, the library would be in trouble.
“This year you can say ‘we didn’t cut, we’re raising (the budget to) 1.5 percent (from last year’s)’ but that’s just so you can say you’re not cutting the budget,” said Sparanese. “A raise of only one percent is a cut because all prices — book prices, ebooks — go up.”
Resident Anita Newkirk reminded the council that during Hurricane Sandy, when many people were without power or a place to go, the library extended its hours and provided essential services to both Englewood residents and members of other municipalities.
Arnold Brown (who is also member of the Friends’ board of directors) said the library (which was built in 1965) is an aging facility that requires more maintenance than what was anticipated, including plumbing issues in the bathrooms. While the city took care of snow removal for the library in the past, the library now bears the responsibility, he said.
“The city has scheduled repair for our front steps, and we’re grateful for that, but the whole concept of maintaining a building and taking care of it should be a city responsibility,” he added.
 — adapted from Northern Valley Suburbanite, April 4 and 25.
Portable sign. The board also approved a portable sign about the library’s events and activities to be placed at the north door, for $260.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are always pleased to welcome new volunteers to help with our book sale. Please contact Cynthia Sumner at 201-871-1164. If you have any books that you would like to donate, please call James Cohen at 201-816-9359, who will arrange to have them picked up.
Past Events
For more information on past Friends of the Englewood Public Library events, please click here.
Join the Friends Today!
Please take a moment to print out and complete the Friends Membership Registration Form (pdf). If you want to be notified about upcoming book sales and other events, please print your e-mail address on it. We look forward to your support of one of the true assets of our community.
You will also receive the satisfaction of knowing that you are providing vital support to this community treasure. Please use the membership form and mail it with your check today. Any membership level is greatly appreciated and is tax deductible.
We look forward to having you as a part of our wonderful organization!
