March 2024

Volume 16

BIBLIO FILES

Dear Friends of the Library,

Exciting things are happening at the Paris Public Library. The Library Director, Connie Lawman, and her amazing staff are offering engaging and inviting programs and events for all ages to connect with others in our community. The Paris Public Library continues to strive to be a community event center for all. The Gallery is a FREE community space for groups and clubs. Call 903.785.8531 to reserve.

Since the last newsletter, the library has added new Dell computers to the library computer lab. Also, you might've noticed the tea and coffee bar station now available. Some recently added adult programs include yoga, a puzzle competition, a book club, a coat drive, an ornament exchange, valentine bingo, a tiny art show, ladies' craft nights, guided meditation, and a painting with Bob Ross art class. Board game nights, young adult crafts, teen movie nights, chess competition, and a young adult book club are a few happenings available for tweens and teens (ages 11–18). Children's programming included bingo, book walks, puzzles, story time, and visits from the Creature Teacher.

In October, the Paris Public Library loaned out its painting East Texas Patchwork by John Biggers to Abilene’s Grace Museum. The artwork was showcased as part of an exhibit recognizing black artists in Texas then and now, as I see it: Earlie Hundall, Jr. The painting will be back in Paris by February. Make sure you check it out next time you are in the library.

In November, Friends hosted our Annual Business Meeting at the Paris Golf & Country Club. Thank you to all who joined us for the meeting. In December, Friends sponsored the Storybook Walk which was held for the first time at Bywaters Park. The book on display was The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish. In February, Author Piper Hughley joined us via Zoom to discuss her book By Her Own Design. The book is the incredible untold story of how Ann Lowe, a Black woman and granddaughter of slaves, rose above personal struggles and racial prejudice to design and create one of America's most famous wedding dresses of all time for Jackie Kennedy. This fabulous book is available for check out at the library!

We’re excited to announce that the Friends of the Library acquired two interactive digital resources for 2024 to enhance the digital library offerings targeting both children and adults. BookFlix is a Scholastic read aloud product for ages Pre-K-3rd and the Library Speaker Consortium is a curated speaker program featuring 3 best- selling authors each month. Join the Friends on Thursday, March 21 at 5:45 pm in the Gallery of Paris Public Library with upcoming speaker Madeline Miller, the best-selling author of The Son of Achilles and Circe, who plans to share Retelling Greek Classics: An Exploration of the Modern Epics. See the flyers below for more information!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 2, Friends will host our Annual Business Meeting Luncheon at the Paris Golf & Country Club at noon. Cost of lunch $25

Email RSVP for lunch to FOLPARISTX@YAHOO.COM. 

Friends planned to host a meet and greet in March with American astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren. Lindgren launched to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 44/45. Unfortunately, he will not be able to join us on our originally scheduled date due to a newly scheduled space launch. Friends is working on a new date for fall 2024 for his visit to Paris. More details to come.

We could not have offered these programs if it weren't for our generous members. Thank you for your outstanding community support! Friends of the Library will continue to raise money for these new programs or any improvement items needed to enhance the library and support our community. We appreciate Connie, the Library Board, and the City of Paris for their support of this critical Paris institution.

Members of the Friends of the Paris Public Library 2024-2025

President: Audrey Mathieu Secretary: Myers Hurt

Vice President: Jennifer Hollje Treasurer: Jeannie Walter

Thanks to our​ Members

FOL Annual Fall Meeting

Deborah & Philip Lightfoot

Carl & Joella Lucas

Donna Glass McEver

Kim Montgomery

Becky Nash

Becki & Sims Norment

Emily & Gary O’Conner

Catie Parr

Edwin & Kelly Pickle

Pools & More

Nancy Rhodes

Steve & Vickie Rowlan

Bert & Sandra Strom

Betty Swasko

Richard & Susan Swint

Angela & Drew Temple

Jeanne Waller

Jeannie & Stephen Walter

Sherrie White

Robert & Sharon Young

Jill Awtry

Judy Bawcum

Sally Cecil

Ed & Mary Clark

Jennifer Cullum

Joan E. Davis

Barrillon Dougherty

Richard & Trava Drake

Glee Emmite

Earl & Lueron Erickson

Barbara & Curtis Fendley

Fun N Flowers Garden Club

Chip & Suzy Harper

Mandeep & Mark Homer

Jennifer Hollje

Brad Hughes

Myers & Ragan Hurt

Jimmie & John Kruntorad

Liberty National Bank

Fun N Flowers Garden Club

2024 Membership Form

Name:_________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________City______________ZIP_____

Phone:________________Email:___________________________________

(Your email address is very important. It is how we will communicate about upcoming events/meetings. We will not share your email address with any other organization or business, and we will not bombard you with emails.)

_____Receive FOL Newsletter via Email

MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT

___Individual ($10)

___Family ($20)

___Patron ($35) (receives membership window cling)

___Corporate ($50)(Newsletter, social media,& event publicity & cling)

___Benefactor ($100) (receives corporate benefits & T-shirt)SIZE_____

___Literati ($500)(benefactor benefits plus FOL mug)

___Underwriter $1000)(Literati benefits plus FOL journal)

(The Friends is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.)

All membership funds support the Paris Public Library and library programs.

Comments/ Suggestions _____________________________________________________________

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

_____ FOL events _____ library programs* _____ at the library*

*Contact Ron Hervey via email: rhervey@paristx.gov or call Ron at 903.785.8531

Please complete this form and return it to the Library Welcome Desk or send it with your membership donation to:

Friends of the Paris Public Library

615 42ND ST SE, Paris,Texas 75462

Email: folparistx@yahoo.com

Facebook: Friends of the Paris Public Library