Impact
Our top accomplishments for the past year include:
1) Two Seed Grants were awarded to establish new Friends groups.
2) Board members were trained at the bi-annual retreat.
3) Four $500 Support Staff Scholarships were awarded.
4) $7,500 was raised to add to our endowment.
Among our goals for the current year are:
1) Raise an additional $6,000 for our endowment
2) Coordinate a Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel Poetry Contest for rural high schools in Lincoln and Creek Counties
3) Expand Outreach Program through Regional Meetings
4) Expand use of messaging tools--Facebook, Webpage, Newsletter
Needs
FOLIO's most pressing need this year is raising $6,000 in contributions to our endowment with the Kirkpatrick Family Fund in order to receive matching funds. Our endowment was established in 2009 with $12,000 which received a matching grant of $8,000. Our fund has grown to $57,671 as of January 30, 2013 and now allows us to award four $500 scholarships from the yearly grant. It is our hope that with the growth of our endowment the amount of these scholarships can be significantly increased each year. FOLIO believes in the importance of trained, educated library staffs in all libraries in the state.
FOLIO also needs to increase its membership to allow the organization to maximize its assistance to libraries and Friends groups. In essence, FOLIO's only funds for providing support come from dues, donations, and grants awarded. We must be extremely careful with our use of funds so that we can be sure to meet the requests for assistance we receive.
Increasing funds through an increase in membership will also mean that FOLIO can continue with Oklahoma's national Literary Landmarks activities and festivities. As we honor each notable deceased literary figure, we must have funds for the bronze plaque, the printing of a booklet over the honoree's life, and other costs associated with the celebratory occasion.
The affairs of FOLIO are under the direction of our Board of Directors who at present represent three of the four geographic areas of the state. We are earnestly seeking representation from the northwest area. While we respond to needs from all four quadrants of the state, we want all areas to have voice and participation in board decisions.