Oakton Library Submits Funds Request to Friends Group

The Friends of Oakton Library voted in its new board for 2012 at the group's annual general meeting Tuesday.

Tooley Milstead has stepped down from the president's seat after serving for two consecutive years, putting Ann Balch in charge of the group that has supported Oakton Library before it even existed.

FOL formed in 2001 to raise money for a library to be built in Oakton, which opened September 2007.

Branch Manager Jerilyn Polson's $26,075 funds request to FOL for 2012, which she presented Tuesday night, includes an estimate of $1,125 to celebrate Oakton Library's fifth anniversary.

Polson and her staff are envisioning multiple events that would both highlight the library's features and entertain librarygoers. The staff has suggested a gadget fair, a visit from a guest author and a children's art contest as a few of the possibilities.

The total request is about $6,000 more than the branch's request to FOL last year, but she expects the nonprofit will not end up being responsible for one of the larger requests: new furniture.

"Many of the newer branches are all having the same upholstery and wear-and-tear problems, so it is likely the county will be handling that," Polson said of the expense that stands at an estimate of $8,200. "But we wanted to talk to the board about possibly setting aside some money for the replacement furniture, but I doubt we're going to need any of it from you."

Last year, Polson requested furniture for a section of the library she wanted to dedicate to seniors' needs. FOL approved it along with her other requests, but they found out later the Fairfax Library Foundation had a $10,000 donation from Sunrise Assisted Living for the library that had not yet been used. The entire $10,000 donation is being used to revamp the area, which will be completed later this year, with new furniture, shelves, signage and equipment to accommodate senior needs.

"We felt like this project was a really good fit for that particular donation, to be enhancing a section of the library specifically with the older customer in mind," Polson said.

The 2012 request for FOL's contribution to collection enhancement increased $2,000 from last year to total $8,000. Polson recommended FOL consider splitting the contribution evenly between print books and ebooks, as demand for ebooks is growing.

She has invited a guest speaker from Fairfax County Public Library's collections management department to give a presentation on ebooks at next month's FOL meeting, and encouraged members to attend to learn more. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Oakton Library.

2012 Friends of Oakton Library Officers

• President: Ann Balch
• 1st Vice President: Maya Mann
• 2nd Vice President: Jackie Giovannelli
• Treasurer: Fred Pitman
• Secretary: Carol Fay

Committee Chairs

• Book Sale: Ralph Tener & Carole Dowd
• Book sorting/storage: Jane Boyers & Tooley Milstead
• Hospitality: Corinne Oliverio
• Community Liaison: Linda Byrne
• Program/Speakers: Tooley Milstead