Background
The Friends of the Lafayette Public Library was formed at the suggestion of
Library Director Lucille Arceneaux in 1979. Children's Librarian and future Director
Sonya Branch took up the challenge and after an organizational period, the
Friends held their first annual meeting on March 6, 1980. In March 1982, the
Articles of Incorporation were notarized, and in 1985, the Friends group was
officially granted tax exempt status as a nonprofit organization. During these
formative years, the Friends were busy. They opened the Gift Shop in the Main
Library, took over the Book Sale, and established a scholarship for a resident of
Lafayette Parish to pursue graduate work at the L.S.U. School of Library and
Information Science.
Most of the branches now have Friends’ organizations to help individual branches
in an even greater capacity.
Library Director Lucille Arceneaux in 1979. Children's Librarian and future Director
Sonya Branch took up the challenge and after an organizational period, the
Friends held their first annual meeting on March 6, 1980. In March 1982, the
Articles of Incorporation were notarized, and in 1985, the Friends group was
officially granted tax exempt status as a nonprofit organization. During these
formative years, the Friends were busy. They opened the Gift Shop in the Main
Library, took over the Book Sale, and established a scholarship for a resident of
Lafayette Parish to pursue graduate work at the L.S.U. School of Library and
Information Science.
Most of the branches now have Friends’ organizations to help individual branches
in an even greater capacity.
About The Friends
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Friends’ Future
The more members the Friends have, the more support they can provide for
Lafayette’s public libraries. The organization accepts new members throughout
the year. Various memberships are available, from Individual ($5) to Life ($100).
With the help of its members, supporters, and the library staff, the Friends will
search out more opportunities to help develop and improve public library service in
Lafayette Parish.
President Alverta Hasling’s plans for the Friends are straightforward. “The Friends
want to continue working on projects to help the library grow,” she says.
Lafayette’s public libraries. The organization accepts new members throughout
the year. Various memberships are available, from Individual ($5) to Life ($100).
With the help of its members, supporters, and the library staff, the Friends will
search out more opportunities to help develop and improve public library service in
Lafayette Parish.
President Alverta Hasling’s plans for the Friends are straightforward. “The Friends
want to continue working on projects to help the library grow,” she says.
Friends' Board of Directors
Members of the Friends’ Board serve for three year terms. Current officers and board members for
2009-2010
President: Alverta Hasling Cathy Bishop Marilyn Long
Vice President: Gary Alexander Jean Brunson Elouise Mullen
Secretary: Diana Nolan Lee Dotson Mary Ann Privat
Treasurer: Bobbie Dunbar Rosemary Frederic Dennis Sullivan
Sarah Billeaud Pat Hebert Flossie Turner
2009-2010
President: Alverta Hasling Cathy Bishop Marilyn Long
Vice President: Gary Alexander Jean Brunson Elouise Mullen
Secretary: Diana Nolan Lee Dotson Mary Ann Privat
Treasurer: Bobbie Dunbar Rosemary Frederic Dennis Sullivan
Sarah Billeaud Pat Hebert Flossie Turner