The Friends of the South Huntington Public Library is a volunteer group, formed in April,
1963, to further community awareness of the functions, resources, services, and needs of
the Library.
The organization of the group was sponsored and steered by the South Huntington Council
of PTAs at the invitation of the board of trustees of the library. The steering committee,
which launched an organizational meeting on April 1, 1963, was comprised of the library chairpersons of the
various PTA units; Elaine Walker, who represented the library's board of trustees; Avis Duckworth, library director,
Muriel Gilman, council president and E. Agneta, who served as chairman.
The first president of the Friends of the South Huntington Public Library was Richard Shoemaker
(he is pictured in newspaper clipping at right).Other officers included Mrs. Henry Miller,
Diane Della Rocca, vice presidents; Mrs. Gilbert Hicks and Mrs. Phillip Spahn, secretaries;
and Robert M. Daly, treasurer. Ninety-one people who attended the organizational meeting
on April 1, 1963, were considered charter members of the group.
According to a news article in the April 11, 1963 edition of The Long-Islander,
the Friends' first project was to make every citizen in the South Huntington School District
a library cardholder.
The Friends went on to be quite active in both the community and the library. They held annual
book sales, and the proceeds were used to purchase equipment for the library, including drapery,
a matte movie screen, paperback stands, a piano bench, a clock and other items.
The group's most visible and successful endeavor was the annual Book and Author Luncheon, which was
held each fall at a local restaurant. The event, which was held from the early 1960s to the 1990s,
attracted such authors as Roger Caras, Judith Crist, Peter Mathiessen, Nelson DeMille, Donald Westlake, Harvey
Aronson, Marvin Kitman (his thank you note to the Friends is at left), Ilka Chase, Sandra Scoppetone, John Westermann.
The Friends also sponsored regular programs, such as concerts, lectures, and bus trips, and in the late 1960s members even were responsible for compiling the library newsletter, which included an extensive calendar of community events. In addition, the Friends hosted an annual luncheon for library staff.
Proceeds from the book sales, the book and author luncheons and other efforts allowed the Friends to bestow an award to an outstanding graduating senior from Walt Whitman High School. The Friends also coordinated a Remembrance Fund, through which people could make a donation to purchase a book in honor or memory of a loved one.
The role of the Friends has changed, somewhat, over the years, since the current library budget includes funding for programming, materials and equipment. However, the support of this group has been and continues to be invaluable to the library and its users.
