After being dormant for several years, we aspire to bring our Friends Group back with the 2017-18 academic year. The “Friends of the Library Society” was initially founded in 1995 with a goal of strengthening the role of the library in the academic and cultural life of the College. Friends groups have a long and storied place in the lives of not only academic libraries but libraries of many types and locations. Current and former employees of Saint Anselm College as well as interested members of the community and library users in general lend generous support. For example, while the Geisel Friends Group nodded off like Rip van Winkle, interested and generous souls continued to donate books to the Library and/or money to the Geisel Book Fund so that we might purchase titles in honor or memory of a loved one.
Plans are also underway to bring back an occasional newsletter for our Geisel Friends. These are exciting times for academic libraries with ever evolving technologies, acquisition of new titles for both the circulating and special collections, space planning, and new staff members. It is our goal to keep you, the Friend, up to date with our changes, aspirations, and dreams. We are pleased to work with our colleagues in College Advancement to make known our needs and wishes so that as official fundraisers for Saint Anselm, they can include Geisel Library in their endeavors.
In the coming months, please watch for announcements and updates regarding the Friends Group. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions. I can be reached at cgetchell@anselm.edu or at 603-641-7302. Ms. Nicole Pennell, Library Administrative Assistant, provides much valued staff support for Friends activities and can be reached at npennell@anselm.edu or by phone 603-641-7365. Thank you for considering joining our Group.
Charles M. Getchell, Jr.
College Librarian