An Informal History by Kathryn Preyer
The idea of forming a support group for Everett Library came from Kathryn Preyer’s participation on the board of the Friends Group at UNC Greensboro and seeing, firsthand, what community support was engendered due to the interesting programs and library privileges that were offered to members. The librarian of Queens, Rose Anderson, was enthusiastic about the idea, as was Miss Thelma Albright, faculty member and former dean of students, and Dr. John Smiley, college president.
A group of friends, some Queens alumni and some not, were also interested, so an organizing meeting was held in April 1971 in what is now the Special Collections Room in Everett Library. Some one hundred people attended to hear short talks by the president, librarian, etc. to have coffee and cookies, and to sign up as Charter Members. Their enthusiasm was so exciting.
The purpose in forming the Friends was, as explained to the original group, to focus attention on the Library as the center of learning on campus, to strengthen ties between Queens College and the Charlotte community by planning events that would contribute to the cultural life of the city and bring people on campus, and to make useful gifts to the Library whenever possible, the “icing on the cake”.
Officers were appointed by Dr. Smiley with Helen Bouldin Jones president. A strong Board was picked, also, and plans were made for the first Book and Author Luncheon followed by the Annual Meeting in the Spring. Both events were successful and succeeded in attracting many members. By the tenth anniversary dinner, with Charles Kuralt as speaker, the membership was over nine hundred! The highest point was over one thousand in 1992.
In 2001, Friends of the Library had a capital campaign to raise money for an endowment to help with the expenses of the authors for the Book and Author event. Over $110,000 was raised for the Book and Author Endowment and Beverly Clark Book and Author Endowment.
The Ministrare Leadership Society recognized Friends of the Library in the fall of 2017 for its gifts of over $1,000,000 to Everett Library.
