✨ Happy New Year! ✨
We hope 2026 is off to a great start for you and your family.
New Leadership for 2026
Elections were held at our December meeting. We welcomed two new board members, Lisa Cawley and Melora Leiser, and said a fond farewell to Mark Alexander. Thank you, Mark, for your years of dedicated service!
Officers for 2026:
★ William McLean – President
★ Diane Kelly – Vice President
★ Grace Johnston – Treasurer
★ Tess Tessier – Secretary
2025 Accomplishments
What a year! Thanks to our wonderful members and volunteers, we:
✓ Hosted successful author and educational events: Richard Dansky’s Video Game Writing Workshop (March), Samantha Bryant (May), Alex Evanovich (July teen creative writing program), Janet Evanovich (August), and Jan Irwin (September fundraiser)
✓ Completed repairs and held dedication ceremony for the Story Walk at Efland-Cheeks Park
✓ Held two successful book sales raising over $8,500
✓ Grew our membership to 161 active members
✓ Established Meg Stouffer as liaison with the Southern Branch Library
✓ Supported the Prison Books Collective giving tree program
✓ Approved custom book sale bags for future sales
Funded library programs and equipment:
● Summer Reading Programs
● Water/ice dispenser for staff and patrons (3-year lease)
● Staff appreciation lunch (April)
● Staff appreciation holiday gifts
● Story Walk ongoing support and repair
● Alex Evanovich books for teen program
● Video Game Writing Workshop with Richard Dansky
● Prison Books Collective
Thanks to everyone who volunteered and/or financially supported the Friends in 2025!
You made all of this possible.
Take Your Child to the Library Day
📚 Saturday, February 7
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Orange County Public Library is celebrating Take Your Child to the Library Day with free family-friendly activities including:
• Readings from community members in uniform
• Read to a Therapy Dog sessions
• Magic show at 10:00 am
• Drop-in activities throughout the building
The Friends is considering having a table at this event to share information about membership and our upcoming book sale. If you’re interested in learning more about opportunities to volunteer, please email us at FOCPLNC@gmail.com.
Spring Book Sale – Save the Dates!
📖 Mark Your Calendars! 📖
Setup:
Wednesday-Thursday, March 11-12
Members’ Preview:
Thursday, March 12, 5:00-7:00 PM
(Take advantage of this members-only benefit and get first pick!)
Public Sale:
Friday-Sunday, March 13-15
Sunday Bag Day:
Fill a standard-size reusable grocery bag for just $7!
Volunteers are especially needed for setup on Wednesday-Thursday and takedown on Sunday. SignUp Genius will be posted in early February.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 pm in the Hillsborough branch meeting room. All members are welcome to attend. You may also attend virtually:
Topic: January 2026 Friends Board Meeting
Time: Jan 15, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 814 7239 9364
Passcode: 520904
JANUARY 16, 2026 MEETING AGENDA 1) CALL TO ORDER/ESTABLISH QUORUM (6/11):
Lisa Cawley,
Diane Decker,
Melora Leiser,
Grace Johnston,
Diane Kelly,
William McLean,
Melissa Bourbon Ramirez,
Wendy Scott,
Meg Stouffer,
Laura Sumrell,
Tess Tessier 2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER MEETINGS
3) TREASURER’S REPORT
4) MEMBERSHIP REPORT
5) LIBRARY REPORT
6) BUSINESS
A) March Book Sale leftover book pickup
B) Vote to approve $20 sign application fee
C) Vote to approve $200 for two book sale banners
D) Take Your Child to the Library Day
E) Conflict of Interest forms
F) Audit Committee
G) March Book Sale preparations (March 11-15, 2026)
H) Banking authorization
I) Website updates
J) Summer Reading Kickoff 2026
K) Prison book program update 7) ADJOURN
As always, thank you for being a Friend!
Sincerely,
William McLean, President
