CLA  - VICTORIA...HERE WE COME.
From the Editor...

VICTORIA...HERE WE COME. June 18-21, 1998

Thanks to the generosity of the Canadian Library Association, a special Friends registration fee of $50.00 offers a variety of programs at the CLA's 53rd Annual Conference. Friends are also welcome to register for the available tours and social events.

Thurs 18th June - "Training the Trainers" - 10:30-16:30. Fundraising through special events - the collingwood example - 14:00-15:15. Fundraising: Beyond the Book Sale - 15:45-17:00

Fri 19th June - Media Training - 9:00-12:00. A Good Fit? Corporate Donations and Sponsorships - 9:00-12:00. Getting Political: Reaching the Decision-Makers - 14:00-15:15.

Sat 20th June - Friends: What Now? A National Association Has Begun - 9:00-12:00. (This is where organization will be constituted plus round table discussion groups)

From the Editor...

Thanks to Gabriele Schreiber from Random House, the Canadian Friends Booth at the Ontario Library Convention in Toronto in February was a great success. With Friends from Ajax, Toronto, North York, Nepean and Windsor, the booth was well staffed. Over 200 copies of FOCAL POINT were distributed, as well as 50 Friends kits from the Southern Ontario Library Services and newsletters and pamphlets from many Friends groups. The $118 raised from the "Toonie Draw" will go a long way to paying for the postage on this newsletter. The "red and white" book lamp went off to Nepean and many happy readers won the latest best-sellers donated by Random House. Our booth raised much awareness and interest.

Cobourg Friends celebrated their Annual Meeting on 20th January and I was delighted to be their Guest Speaker - They have accomplished great results in just one year! Their calender is always full, February activities included a Storytelling evening, the start of a new Book Group, Valentine Book Sale and Heritage Days.. they also publish a very professional newsletter.

Toronto Friends invited me to an "ADVOCACY NOW" Training workshop on Saturday, 28th February. The venue was the striking Lillian H Smith Branch at College and Spadina. The exhilarating session was lead by Katherine Palmer and Margaret Andrewes. A tour of the library included the famous Osbourne Collection of Early Children's Books and the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy.

Sutton was my destination on 2nd March and the launch of the GEORGINA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered to discuss their new venture. Their many plans include starting a Visiting Library Service and a "Help with your Homework" club and visiting authors. Mary Flint is the proud librarian of a brand new building - part of a "multi-purpose" complex, also comprising two public schools and a leisure pool.

Delighted to welcome Jami van Haaften to FOCAL POINT. She will be keeping us informed not only of the Friends' activities, but also of the relevant web sites.. she's quite the browser.

Charter memberships in the Canadian Friends are growing daily..almost 60 on our list. Please make sure that you sign up - either yourself or your group - so that you may keep on receiving the newsletter.

Editor - Val Marshall.