THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412060193
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Instead of buying flowers or candy for your loved one on that next anniversary, consider purchasing something a little more lasting - like a book in their honor at the Norfolk Public Library.
``We want people to begin to think of the library as a place where they can make memorial donations, honor a newborn baby or celebrate someone's birthday,'' said Jill Childress, a board member of the Friends of the Library. ``In the past, they haven't always considered us . . . and we truly need the money.''
In November, the library's volunteer support group began to actively solicit contributions from residents toward the purchase of books. Faced with the rising costs of books and little increase in its acquisition budget, the library has had to cut back on purchases in recent years.
Last year, for example, the library received $434,250 in city and state funds to purchase new materials, just $4,000 more than it did two years earlier. The average cost of a new novel is now $20, and a nonfiction work sells for about $50. Children's books cost on average $15 each.
As a result, hundreds of best-sellers and volumes of updated research material have not found their way onto the Norfolk library shelves, noted acting director Mary Mayer-Hennelly.
Although the library has accepted donations for book purchases in the past, ``We've never publicly asked for them before,'' Mayer-Hennelly said. ``We really need the help now.''
When making contributions to the book fund, donors can designate specific books they want purchased or simply make general gifts. In either case, plates listing donors and honorees will be placed in front of the newly purchased books. Cards also will be sent notifying honorees of the donations made in their names.
``This could really make a difference in the numbers of books we'll be able to buy each year,'' Mayer-Hennelly said. ``Hopefully, we'll now be able to buy several hundred or maybe even a 1,000 additional books each year because of gifts from the public.''
Those interested in making donations to the library's book fund can find informational folders at any of the 11 branches. by CNB