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Deadline for FoML Grant applications set for Monday, September 8, 2008

The FoML Executive Board at its July 28 meeting set September 8 as the must-be-mailed-by deadline for the 2008 FoML Grant applications. The Board has budgeted three $500 grants to Libraries or Friends groups with the most appealing projects or programs.

Grant information is here. The Grant Application form is here.

Outpouring of Support for Replacing
Destroyed
Swans Island Library

Dozens of Maine libraries have offered to help in the restoration of the Swans Island Library, destroyed by fire after a lightning strike on July 24, 2008.

Contributions to help in the immediate restoration of library services and then for a permanent library may be sent to

The Swans Island Public Library
The First Bank
P.O. Box 258
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

(The FoML Executive Board at its July 28 quarterly meeting voted to donate $100 to the restoration fund.)

The structure was the last remaining community schoolhouse on the island and was a favorite meeting place for residents. It housed many local records and artifacts, original art work, and one of the finest collections of Maine history on the coast. Its internet connection was a key link for many on the island, which lacks broadband telephone or cable access.

On July 30, the Northeastern District Library Consultant, Valerie Osborne, travelled to Swans Island to meet with Library Director Candis Joyce and the Trustees of the Swans Island Educational Society (which operates the library and the historical association), and others. Her report to the Maine Library Community, posted on ME-LIBS, is reproduced here for the convenience of those without ME-LIBS access.

The Marvels of MARVEL! Maine's virtual library (Story here.)

Membership Forms are here.

List of 2008 Individual Members

List of 2008 Organization Members

Thank you for your support of FoML

The IRS now wants an annual 'e-postcard' from every 501c3 non-profit corporation saying "We're still here." Only groups with more than $25,000 in annual revenue are currently required to file a 990 form and the IRS has simply lost track of the hundreds of thousands of smaller groups it never hears from. So starting in '08 it wants a brief on-line report with contact and activity information.

Most groups have already been alerted but the full story can be found at the IRS website: here.

FoML Web Site Use to be Expanded

FoML's communications with members and potential members is largely centered on this website. The rising cost of printing and mailing newsletters limits their availablity and the growing availability of internet access makes the website the channel of choice. Accordingly, the FoML Board plans to introduce several innovations to make the site more informative and usable, refresh it more often, and add some form of viewer participation. More on this soon. Your suggestions are welcome! Contact us at berek@tds.net
Next Quarterly Executive Board meeting for 2008: Oct 27 in MSL conference room.
2008 FoML Grant Application deadline is Monday, September 8.

Save the Date: Friends of Maine Libraries Annual Conference - September 26

     
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