Friday, May. 09, 2008

Volunteers help boost library funding

By TODD OVERMAN

The Friends of the Keller Library have contributed an extra boost of funding for the city’s library for the past 21 years.

Now, the volunteer group has the opportunity to make a major difference in the renovation and expansion of the library. One of its roles could be in helping secure grant money for the $4 million project. Mayor Pat McGrail said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that a committee may form to pursue money and include Friends members.

Each year, the Friends help pay for items on the library staff’s wish list, most recently a list worth $12,000. Friends member Ron Hibbs said this year it was only about $5,000. "They were trying to save this request for the needs once they’re in the bigger, new facility," he said.

The group’s most regular fundraising method is through its bookstore at 137 Taylor St. in Old Town, which opened in October 2005. On average, the store collects $75 in book sales on Wednesdays and $85 on Saturdays, although sales have been around $100 per day lately. With hardbacks going for $1 and paperbacks going for 50 cents, that represents a lot of books going out the door.

Friends president Karen Hibbs said the store’s goal goes beyond making money. "We want to help with literacy, and help families that can’t afford quality books," she said. "We want to raise awareness in the community. People stumble in here and say, 'I didn’t even know you were here.’ "

The group has help, too, from other volunteers. The new Keller chapter of the National Charity League chose the Friends as one of seven nonprofit groups it assists. They supply volunteers and have conducted a book drive. Boy Scouts working toward the Eagle Scout rank have also contributed to the cause, from helping refurbish the bookstore building, adding bookshelves or conducting book drives. Keller High senior Amber Sullivan has been a fixture at the store for months, working more than 200 volunteer hours to help out.

Although the book selection at the store is plentiful, the group is always needing donations. One drive that yielded many books was hanging bags along with information about the Friends on doorknobs around town. They plan to use that method again.

Honoring Engle

The library lost one of its strongest advocates when Jim Engle passed away on Nov. 28, 2007. He had served as chairman of the Keller Library Board, and he and his wife Linda were part of the Friends. The couple was named the city’s Volunteer of the Year in 2005.

"We see him as such an inspiration for us," Karen Hibbs said. "He was ill the whole time this store was envisioned. He and Linda were just the heartbeat of this organization."

Ron Hibbs said Engle worked at the store even when he wasn’t feeling well. In fact, he was calling volunteers from his hospital bed in Dallas to remind them about working at the bookstore.

Engle was a high school teacher and principal, associate professor at Texas Southern University, director of student services at Houston Community College and later the first president of the Houston Community College Systems Central College. He retired in 1997, after which the Engles moved to Keller.

To honor Engle, the Friends have a framed photo of him as well as artwork he painted. The plan is to rotate paintings from Engle’s collection over time.

Linda Engle said the couple moved to Keller in November 1999. The first community event they attended was a pancake breakfast. It didn’t take long after that for them to get plugged in to community service. "From then on, he was hooked," Linda said of her husband.

Their daughter Michelle Wagner and her family live in Keller and are also active with the Friends group. Her father’s love of learning and libraries was a lifelong passion. "He was president of the Houston Friends of the Library," she said.

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