The Friends of the Lindsay Branch of the City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library are winners of the Random House of Canada Friends of the Year Award 2004. In a submission that reflected outstanding community or volunteer involvement, the Friends conducted a yearlong schedule of diverse activities and programs.

Not only did the Lindsay Friends deliver a regular set of programs relating to fundraising, reading and arts and culture, but added to that were some initiatives such as Canada Reads and the Chesley Challenge, Doors Open Ontario and the Lieutenant Governor’s Book Program.

The 100^th Anniversary of your Carnegie Library was an excellent opportunity to showcase your library’s long-standing role in the community.

100^th anniversary of the Carnegie Library in Lindsay
Lieutenant Governors Book Program
Chesley Challenge – Canada reads program
Doors Open Ontario – Carnegie library – exhibit and tours
Adjacent Friends Group – regional workshop

Book sales
An evening with . . . speakers series
Home Book Service
Readers’ Corner –reading to residents in local retirement home
Book Club
Spirit of the Arts theatrical reading
Risk management policy
Privacy Policy
Library advocacy – letter writing campaign
Archival material preservation project

"A great deal of fun was had by all," noted the nomination narrative submitted by Friends President Eileen Anderson and Dianne Lansdell of the library. "The participation of 84% of our forty-nine members in at least one activity resulted in the ability of the group to raise enough money through book sales and merchandise sales to donate $4000 worth of materials to the library.

100th anniversary celebration	Period costumes set the stage	Book Club held monthly	Regional Friends gathered in Lindsay

Honorable Mention - Friends of the St. Marys Public Library

Friends of the St. Marys Public Library received an Honorable Mention in our Random House of Canada Friend of the Year Award 2004. Their submission reflected innovative efforts in community service and fundraising, designed to raise the profile of the library in the community and enhance service.

The Friends initiated and co-ordinated the successful nomination of retiring librarian Barb Taylor for the Librarian of the Year Award for Ontario in 2004.

Support and volunteer efforts on the part of the Friends have touched many sectors of their community. From the Newcomers Welcome Program, through special Centennial projects, the writer-in-residence program, volunteer tutoring, hosting the appreciation tea for volunteers, support of horticulture projects indoors and outdoors, historical research and writing, summer reading program, and providing library tours your hard work and enthusiasm is evident.

Newcomers Welcome Program
Summer Reading Program support
Volunteer tutors in community adult learning program
Writer-in-residence program funding
Centennial Arts Series – monthly September - June
A Century of Stories – contributing to research, writing
Doors Open Ontario – guided library tours
Hosed Volunteer Appreciation tea
Rotary reading Garden – FOL served on committee

Donation request sent with local water bills and tax notices – raised $2,370
Annual Book Sale, auction and 50/50 draw - $2,379.85
Partnered with local community theatre group to sponsor Spring brunch and Fall dinner programs - $746
Centennial book marks –creation and sale
Canvas Bag sales - $250
Flower Bulb sales - $313

A member of FOL donated her watercolour of the exterior of the library. This painting has been used throughout the library's Centennial Year and on the cover of the town's tourism brochure