match for the FOL’s historically stalwart commitment to its cause, as it suspended dues for the year and directed donations toward a $40,000 gift to the library.
Tat money was quickly deployed for critical operations and staffing, communications hardware and professional development, online subscriptions and social media software. It even paid for an archives consultant, as well as the shipping (and return-shipping!) of books and documents to patrons from library collections. “As a largely residential and place-based university, we want
students to use our physical items,” said Everett Library Director Carolyn Radcliff, who arrived at Queens about the same time as President Lugo—on the eve of the pandemic. “I have never encountered a Friends of the Library group as active and vibrant as this group, by miles,” said Radcliff. “It has been one of the surprise joys of my directorship here.” In her seat on the university’s board of trustees, Nelson is
a strong voice at the table to ensure the library is a critical piece for Queens’ future. In particular, she sees the library as a center for bringing together the energy and creative perspectives of both campus and community. “As a growing organization, we plan to be here for Charlotte
and the Queens community for many years to come,” she said. Queens’ new strategic framework outlines the library’s imperative role: “libraries that are required by multidisciplinary and modern approaches to the liberal arts are more than quiet warehouses for books. Innovative 21st century libraries are busy, vibrant, diverse, dynamic and creative hubs that are often complete with modern technologies, makerspaces and flexible spaces that encourage design thinking, collaboration and innovation.” With so much fresh focus on the library, support for FOL shows
no signs of waning, as current FOL President Sherard Anne Gates said that membership rolls are growing fast. “Te library is the heartbeat, the heart of the school,” Gates explained. “With this new year, we’re trying to get back to normal, but we just have to go with the flow.” Tat flow continues to open up new possibilities for FOL, said
Cindy Nicholson. As library liaison for FOL, she helps to manage finances and budgets, shepherd creative work through marketing, coordinate events management, and manage the FOL’s up-to-the- minute web page and social media. “One thing we learned from the pandemic is that we can be
a multi-layered organization,” Nicholson said. “Tat opens up a whole new world to us.” ■
For more information regarding Friends of the Library, visit
www.library.queens.edu/fol. You can also follow FOL on Instagram at @queensfriendsofthelibrary and Facebook @QueensFOL.
I HAVE NEVER
ENCOUNTERED A FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GROUP AS ACTIVE AND VIBRANT AS THIS GROUP, BY MILES.
Carolyn Radcliff
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