History

40+ Years supporting Mathews Memorial Library and our community.

Operating since 1982, The friends of the Mathews Memorial Library have donated countless hours and funds in support of the Mathews Memorial Library and its goals.

In 2010 Friends of the Library raised more than $1.3 Million to acquire the Radio Shack Building adjacent to the Library and renovate it, including a teen area, a natural lighting atrium for reading and computer workstations, a community meeting room, additional staff workspace, and a landscaped courtyard hosting commemorative bricks. The planning, fund-raising, and construction were entirely under the direction of the Friends. In 2014, the new addition was dedicated and became the H. Bland Hudgins Wing.

The Friends continue to support the library in many ways, providing funds for books, computers, programs, and organizing events promoting the Library Director’s vision, advocating for library programs, and facility improvements.

A display case near the courtyard door commemorates the work of the Friends. Scrapbooks located in the Chesapeake Room of the Library provide an illustrated history of the group from 1982.

Past Presidents:

Our leaders are the stepping stones to success.

Mary Noah 1982

Jack Ward 1983-84

Mason South 1985-86

Kenneth Brown 1987-89

Jack Stillman 1990-91

Jack Ward 1992-93

Jack Stillman 1994-95

Norma Von Brock 1996-97

Jack Ward 1998-99

Ray Hunley 2000

Doug Wilton 2001-04

Doreen Folzenlogen 2005-06

John Dayton 2007

Neil Webre 2008-10

Maree Morgan 2011-14

Steve Whiteway 2015

Maree Morgan 2016

Molly Broderson 2017-19

Founding Members:

Without their vision, we would not be here.

Elizabeth Bowles Becky Cooke Dorothy Gayle Gladys Hammond Virginia Hudgins Clare Jones Georgianne Laws Sally Bet Lawson Mary Noah Marilyn Owens Virginia Owens Mary Pulley Eileen Ripley Bernice White