MEMORANDUM 06-77

To: Homer Mayor and Council Members

From: Library Advisory Board

Date: May 2, 2006

The Library Advisory Board respectfully requests that the Children’s Room of the new Homer Public Library be named in memory of the late Joy Griffin, a tireless library volunteer responsible for many of the library’s successful programs and a particular advocate for library use by children. She shared the dream of a new, larger library with space dedicated to children’s use, and since her death in 2002 her vision and example have inspired the Homer community toward the building now nearing completion.

The attached letter from the Friends of the Homer Library details Joy’s many contributions. It also specifies the signage, agreed to by the project architect, and the cost to the Friends. There is no cost to the city.

We ask that the Council support this request with a resolution naming the Children’s Room the “Joy Griffin Children’s Library” as a memorial to Joy and her exemplary volunteerism. Thank you.

April 26, 2006

Dear members of the Library Advisory Board,

The Friends of the Homer Public Library (FHL) sincerely requests that the City of Homer honor the memory of Joy Griffin by naming the Children's Room of the new Homer Public Library after her. Joy was a dedicated supporter of the Homer Public Library and an avid writer who made a lasting impact on this great community resource.

The Friends has consulted with the project architect and would like to purchase and have installed the wording “Joy Griffin Children’s Library” in anodized letters (approximately 3” tall and ¾” deep) above the entrance to the children’s room. The expected cost of the materials and installation is $1000 and would be paid for by FHL.

Joy and her husband, Dick, founded the "Top Drawer Collection" which is an award winning collection of original manuscripts by local authors. Now there are over 80 volumes in the collection. Eight additional works were recently added during National Library Week in April. These books are available for check-out by anyone with a library card and are a great reference for the community.

Joy organized the publishing of "Earthquake 1964, Where Were You?" which is a collection of memories of the 1964 Earthquake. These stories came from people from around the State who were affected by the Earthquake. Because of her work on the Earthquake book and the "Top Drawer Collection", the Friends received a $10,000 grant, for the purchase of books for the library, by Friends of the Library USA.

Joy was also instrumental in starting the very popular “Children's Story Hour.” She recruited community members to come read to the preschool children and she always promoted reading and use of the library by children. Today, the preschool story hour is a mainstay at the library for area families. In the last several weeks, over 50 people have taken part in story hour at the library each week.

Joy and Ruth Plymire helped spread the word about these great programs and other offerings at the Homer Public Library by starting the radio show "Reading Between the Lines" on KBBI. The show still airs today and is used to promote the library and the many resources the community can find there.

Joy's dedication to the education of children and to the Homer Public Library should be memorialized. The Friends of the Homer Public Library has discussed the idea of recognizing Joy in this way since her death in February of 2002 and we hope that the City will honor her legacy by naming the Children's room after her.

Sincerely,

Sue Mauger

Friends of the Homer Public Library

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