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
With the renovation of the Main Branch, the Friends have had to change the
venue for both sorting and selling the books for their sales. They plan to continue
their financial aid to the library during this transition to the new and improved
facility. This is done with the sale and through memberships. 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.
venue for both sorting and selling the books for their sales. They plan to continue
their financial aid to the library during this transition to the new and improved
facility. This is done with the sale and through memberships. 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
2011-2012
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 Leo Burleigh Flossie Turner
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 Leo Burleigh Flossie Turner