Page 3



	Thank You, Teresa
	by Donna Howell

	After an extraordinarily eventful 17 years as Director of the Mountain Regional Library System, Teresa Haymore has stepped down to go back to her first library love. As of July 1, 2005, Teresa has returned to being the Fannin County Librarian, a position she held for five years before becoming regional director.

	As Director, Teresa has seen three building programs to completion: Towns and Union County Libraries both finished their programs in 1990 and Fannin County moved into new space in the Fannin County Courthouse in 2004. When Teresa took the reins in 1987, attendance at all system libraries was 18,250 and grew to 181,365 in 2004 and circulation increased from 119,858 to 599,056. The computer age was ushered into our libraries with no growth in 1987 to 35 staff and 55 public computers in 2004, with over 62,000 people using those public access computers. Teresa has fought for more open hours for all system libraries, helped facilitate the birth of Friends of the Libraries groups in each of the three counties, increased staff levels and staff salaries, and navigated a sea-change in how libraries are funded and operated. And she's done this with great skill and tact and respect for all the people she has worked with and for, the citizens of Fannin, Towns, and Union Counties.

	And so, it is with great sadness we see her leave as Regional Director. We owe her a debt of gratitude for all she has done to support and defend our libraries. We are thrilled that she will still be part of the Mountain Regional Library System team. We wish her every success in her new position.



	Be-a-Friend/Bring-a-Friend Day Success
	by Jean Craig

	The recent Be a Friend/Bring a Friend cake tasting event was a super success, thanks to YOU! Interest was apparent in the large amount of donations of cakes, workers, and participants! The lists of supporters/businesses/groups who donated door prizes and cakes is far too long to mention everyone individually. Please know that everyone is thanked whole-heartedly! Also, a special thanks of appreciation is extended to the Friends who helped set up, decorate, serve, and clean up. There must have been several hundred folks involved in some way with this event, and even more who attended and devoured the wonderful cakes! Thanks to the special bakers/winners who shared their recipes, too! This looks like a promising event to have annually, so we can all look forward to another day off of our diets, with indulgence not only allowed but encouraged!!! Thank you, one and all!!!



	Committee Chairpersons Sought
	by Fran Scanlon-Sills

	Do you have a special talent that you are willing to share with the Friends? We need all the help we can get! We would really like to fill three key places as soon as we can. For the moment, President Jean Craig is wearing two hats: organizing and chairing the monthly meetings and acting as the Publicity Chairman.

	"Talents" required for Publicity Chairman: ability to write in English with a bit of imagination so the Union County readers of the local papers can be kept abreast of the doings of Friends. One to four (short) articles a month need to be submitted to the North Georgia News and the Union County Sentinel; occasionally, a Public Service Announcement needs to be supplied to Channel 4 for special events. All submissions can be made by fax. (In the recent past, e-mails have not been acceptable.)

	Fundraising Chairman: Do you have a lively imagination in organizing successful activities that will provide extra funding for various Friends projects? Among our projects, we are hoping to maintain funding for the Books for Babies Program and to add to the New Library Fund. The ability to excite the local citizenry into participating and contributing toward these activities would be very helpful. Many current members are willing to help, but a leader is needed at the helm.


	At the moment, our long-time editor, Ken Johnson, remains resolutely at the city desk. But he is becoming weary of the task after his many years of service. The Newsletter Chairman is responsible for the layout of the quarterly publication you are enjoying at this very minute. A working knowledge of computers is required, but Ken will be available to see you through the vagaries of the first issue or two, at least until you get your feet wet. Writing of articles is not a requirement of this position, but a touch of magic for layout and organization would be a tremendous plus.


	Each of these positions is highly rewarding and not terribly onerous. Anyone interested in helping out, please come to our next meeting and tell a Board member which place you would like to fill. Help and support will be all around, but leaders are needed.