Friends of MPL

Formation

Raising Support for a New Building

Book Sales

Other Fundraising Initiatives

Joining the Friends of MPL

Sources

Formation

An illustration depicts the Carnegie Library building with two arms and two legs coming out of the building. To the left of the building reads, "I need all the friends I can get!"

This new Friends graphic first appeared on the group's new membership flyer. It was featured later in the Indiana State Library's periodical "Library Occurrent" accompanied by an article written by Miss Mae King. Mrs. Jeannette Cox. Graphics Clerk, Library Service, Ball State University designed the graphic while Alexander MacGibbon created the caption.

On June 18, 1974, a group of people met in order to form a Friends of the Muncie Public Library association. The new organization strove to bring together interested persons wanting to help provide support to and strengthen the library as a “vital information agency, a cultural center, and a major educational institution” (Muncie Star, 06-20-1974) in a variety of ways. They planned to encourage use of the library, raise funds, cooperate with the library in developing its services and facilities, and support the freedom to read for all individuals. The first officers of the new Friends organization were Miss Mae E. King (President), Alexander MacGibbon (Vice President), Miss Sylvia Bassett (Secretary), and Duane E. Deal (Treasurer).

Raising Support for a New Building

One of the first tasks the new Friends of Muncie Public Library undertook was helping the library gain support for a new central library complex over the course of 1974-1975. Muncie Public Library was once again running out of space, and administration felt that the community needed a new building in order to properly serve its need. However, gaining support for the new endeavor was essential, as many in the community believed there might be better options and were concerned about the potential demolition of the old Carnegie building. Leon Jones went to the Friends of Muncie Public Library for help, and they responded by distributing petitions and gathering names in favor of the new building. Mae King, president of the Friends of Muncie Public Library, issued a statement in the “Letters to the Editor” section of the Muncie Evening Press outlining the importance of the project and why it’s needed. Despite efforts, the new central library building was not meant to be. A remonstrance to the petition defeated the plans for the new building.

Miss Mae E. King (1908-1994), the first president of the Friends of Muncie Public Library (Muncie Evening Press, 07-21-1972), was an educator. She taught English, Latin, History, and Library Science throughout her forty-two years as a teacher. King was also active in a number of organizations including the American Association of University Women, which may have sponsored the formation of the Friends of Muncie Public Library.

Book Sales

Alexander MacGibbon stands to the left of a book cart filled with boxes and an MPL bag talking to someone off-camera while Mary Anne Kowalski stands to the right of the book cart looking at MacGibbon. In the back are piles of boxes.

Friends members Alexander MacGibbon and Mary Anne Kowalski prepare for the book sale by loading a cart with books (MPL Archives, 01-05-1990, photographer Steve Strahan).

Friends members help customers with their book purchases. One young woman is laughing as she writes a check.

A customer is happy with her book haul at the Friends of Muncie Public Library sale (MPL Archives, n.d.).

One of the primary goals of the Friends of the Muncie Public Library was to raise funds to support the library’s diverse initiatives. The book sales sponsored by the Friends are the biggest source of income for the group, and these funds support programs like summer reading, author visits, and the bookmobile unveiling as well as equipment and furniture purchases like computers and shelving units to name just a few examples. Over the years, it has been held in the parking lot at Carnegie Library, the Y.W.C.A. community room, the Technical Services Center at 2200 N. Walnut Street, and Maring-Hunt Library until the group was finally given their own building in 2008, the old Webb Hunt Library at 1110 W. Memorial Drive. Sales in the current building started in 2009.

Friends of Muncie Public Library "Sell-ebrity" Book Sale handout to the left; to the right is a cardboard cut-out of Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca wearing a Friends of Muncie Public Library apron. The sign attached to him reads, "Here's lookin' at you, kid...with my Friends Apron that I bought for only $14! For Sale at Checkout Desk."

Over the years, the Friends have gotten quite creative with advertising their book sales and fundraising efforts. The "Sell-ebrity" book sale, as an example, featured cardboard cut-outs of celebrities. In the photo, Humphrey Bogart, a film star from the Golden Age of Hollywood models a Friends of MPL apron available to buy (MPL Archives, 10-1998).

Tables are set up with books for sale. Two customers talk to each. The woman on the left points to a book on the table.

Customers browsing the book sale in the Y.W.C.A. community room (MPL Archives, 06-11-1994)

Other Fundraising Initiatives

Throughout the years, the Friends of Muncie Public Library have not only resorted to book sales as a stream of income for the library but have also engaged in some major fundraising efforts on behalf of the library. One example is the Tea & Treasures program in partnership with Danner’s Books that was modeled from the Antiques Roadshow. For a fee, participants could come and have their collectibles assessed by professional appraisers. The event also included a silent auction of donated items. Another fantastic fundraiser previously sponsored by the Friends of Muncie Public Library was the annual international film festival, held in collaboration with the local Kerasotes Theatres and Indiana Public Radio. The films shown reflected the theme of the season and widely ranged from light to serious.

Scott Keller sits on the left of an elderly woman talking to her about a Dick Tracy doll. On the table in front of the two are a wide assortment of antiques.

A program attendee has one of her antiques evaluated by Scott Keller, an appraiser from Indianapolis, at the first Tea & Treasures program in 1996 (MPL Archives, 09-29-1996).

A display of various types of jewelry; in the back is an advertisement for the Tea and Treasures program sponsored by the Friends.

Local businesses donated items for a silent auction held at Tea & Treasures to raise money on behalf of Muncie Public Library (MPL Archives, 1996).

Joining the Friends of MPL

(Pending)

The beautiful mural on the side of the Friends of Muncie Public Library building, the former Webb Hunt Branch, features flowers, butterflies, and birds.

In 2023, Nicole Ponsler painted a beautiful mural of birds and flowers on the Friends of Muncie Public Library building for the community to enjoy as part of the Muncie Public Art Plan (MPL Archives, 10-05-2023).

Akilah Nosakhere, sitting at a table, and Cinda Turner, standing next to her, help a woman a child with their purchase from the Friends of Muncie Public Library book sale.

Former Director Akilah Nosakhere and Friends member Cynda Turner help customers at the Friends of Muncie Public Library book sale (MPL Archives, 11-21-2021).

Sources

Baer, Diane. “All the World’s a Treasure.” (09-13-2001). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Branch Library Is Given Computer for Youngsters.” (04-22-1985). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Color Your World with Friends Film Fest.” (01-15-2004). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Come Sip Some Tea with Your Treasures.” (09-23-1997). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Editor’s Note.” (04-15-1975). MPLNow, Vol. VII, No. 4. MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Foreign Objects.” (01-31-2002). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Friends Film Fest Tickets on Sale.” (11-28-2002). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Friends of Library Sponsor Sell-ebrity Sale.” (10-16-1998). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Friends of the Library Organize, Name Mae King First President.” (06-20-1974). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

King, Mae. “Library Friends Want Action Now.” Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Kinsey, Michelle. "Window to the World." (04-14-1996). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Librarian Tells BSU Students, Learn to Work in Many Fields.” (03-24-1974). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Library’s Friends Seek Ways to Help.” (08-30-1974). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Luzadder, Dan. “Library Boosters Answer Chamber’s Lack of Support.” (03-26-1975). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Meeting Minutes. Friends of Muncie Public Library. (09-15-2008). MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Meeting Minutes. Friends of Muncie Public Library. (01-20-2010). MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Millard, Nancy. “Event a Search for Treasure: Library Fund-raiser Might Take Some Mystery Out of Collectibles.” (09-23-2001). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Minutes: Muncie Public Library Board, 1975-1976.” MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

"Muncie Public Library Foreign Film Festival to Begin Wednesday." (06-15-1998). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Never Too Old to Read.” (07-16-1975). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

"New A-V Equipment." (07-11-1979). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Petitions Seek Library Building.” (03-26-1975). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

"Share a Movie with Some Friends (of the Library). (01-09-2003). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Spurgeon, Bill. "Like Bracken, City's Public Library Now Has Its 'Friends.'" (06-03-1985). Muncie Evening Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

"Volume Selling." (01-07-1990). Muncie Star. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

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