Friends of the Library members recently met at the Iola Public Library for the Spring Tea and annual meeting.
Treasurer Hellen Welch shared that the group raised $5,665.64 in membership dues, donations, and proceeds from the used book sale and Everything Chocolate Sale.
The Friends provided the library $2,376.24 in project support, with an additional $5,600 approved at the April 2 board meeting.
Projects include a new round table, new barcode scanners and credit card readers, program funding, and $1,000 to purchase new materials for the collection. As shared in the Spring 2026 Friends Newsletter, the Library landscaping project is on hold until the highway project is complete.
Members also approved changes to the bylaws, adjusting the membership year to the calendar year and making the treasurer an elected position.
After enjoying light refreshments and tea served in an assortment of vintage cup sets, President Mary Ann Regehr and Library Director Sharon Moreland recognized members who had met benchmarks of continuous membership. Those include the following:
30-plus years
Sarah “Sally” Huskey (in memorial), Maxine Perkins, Mary Lou Chard, Shirley Ashford, and Roger Carswell.
20-plus years
Gena Clounch and Mary Ann and Walt Regehr.
15-plus years
Virginia Aubert, Mary Schomaker, Melissa Silter, and Jacob Smoot.
10-plus years
Mary Joseph, Linda Johnson, Rita Berntsen, Lesa Cole, Mary Frantz, Stan and Donna Grigsby, Christine Tholen, Roger Fogleman, and Becky Meiwes.
5-plus years
Deb Greenwall, Margaret Lesher, Deanie Olinger, Stephanie and Lonnie Larson, James and Martha Heffernon, Genna Mitchell, Sharon Moreland, Carol Olson, Jennifer Tarter, and Rusty Wooldridge.
