The Malvern Public Library has been serving the people of Malvern and the surrounding area since 1916. Our collection includes books, videos and DVDs, books on tape and CD. In addition we offer our customers Internet access, programs for children and adults, assistance with your information needs--and this website! Please visit us often!

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Friends of the Malvern Public Library


Mission

The Friends of the Malvern Public Library was organized with the purpose to maintain an association of persons interested in libraries; to focus public attention on the library; to stimulate the use of the library's resources and services; to support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community, including projects of a special nature which cannot be otherwise funded; and to support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.

The Friends pride themselves in being just what the name implies: friends. They work hard and respect the goal of seeking more attractive surroundings for the library--to search for sources to provide materials and inspiration for reading and learning. They also dream big--for the new library! The Friends are constantly seeking sources to support the goal of reducing building fund debt. Grants have played a crucial role in the search for monies, with an annual application for Endowment Grants for special projects not supported by the library's annual budget. 


Membership:
Membership is always open to anyone. Citizens who are interested in the supporting the library and its services are cordially invited to join the group of Friends. Meetings are generally held the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the library.
Activities:

An example of activities and events sponsored by the Friends group would include (since the summer of 2003)

  • The Summer Reading Program
  • Welcome Back Luncheon for all school employees in August
  • Hot Dogs on the Lawn at Homecoming time
  • Halloween treats at the Library in October
  • The drama "The Odd Couple" soup supper in November
  • Two one-act plays as a dinner theatre in conjunction with the annual Festival of Trees, in December. (The Library also sponsored one of the trees, and held Open House at the Library, as well as the annual Gingerbread House Contest.)

  The highlight for the Spring of 2004 was the Victorian Tea in May, featuring Marilyn Kayton with her portrayal of the First Ladies, as well as music by Susie Schaff.

  In 2006 the Friends hosted a fundraiser on a grand scale with a Pancake Supper featuring the Pancake Man from Omaha, a silent auction and a live auction. Over $10,000.00 was raised for this event.

During the En Plein Air Arts Festival, September 30, 2007, the Friends sponsored a salsa competition. Fourteen people brought their own special recipes and the tasting and voting went on for three hours. First place winner was John Downer ($25.00 prize). Second went to Mindee Mahler who recived a salsa cookbook. Third place prize winner was Abbie Poort who received a "Salsa" mug for her efforts.

  One on-going attraction is the Felix Summers project, with chairperson Cheryl Jones being responsible for the reproduction of many of the works of the local famed artist. Several choices of prints are available in assorted sizes, as well as note cards. This has been a successful endeavor and will continue as long as there is interest.


Annual Events:
Welcome Back School Employees Luncheon: Each August during final workday prior the new school year, the Friends sponsor a salad luncheon for all school employees of the Malvern School as a symbol of appreciation for the education they provide for the community's children. Homecoming Hotdogs on the Lawn: Come enjoy the festive Homecoming activities in Malvern. Before, during and after the annual Homecoming Parade on Main Street the Friends of the Library will grill hotdogs, and Brats with lots of fixin's (cheese, chili, sauerkraut, onions etc., etc.) to top off your favorite outdoor meal. Drinks and chips are available too. Serving begins at 11:30 a.m. until after the parade. Each year the Frineds of the Library host a fundraising event during the Annual Festival of Trees. Past activities have included a Tour of Homes; steak dinner; wine tasting; and library open house. Plans are now being formed for this year's event. Further updates to follow.
Future Projects:

Holiday Steak Dinner

During the 16th Annual Festival of Trees the Friends of the Library will sponsor a Holiday Steak Dinner at 6:00 PM at the Community Building. The Mills/Montgomery Cattlemen's Association will prepare the steak medallions for the meal. The local 4-H club will serve the sit-down meal at beautifully decorated festive tables. Adult tickets are $15, children's meals are $5.00 for chicken strips. Buy tickets at the library, bank or any member of the Friends of the Library.


Friends of the Malvern Public Library
PO Box 180
Malvern, IA 51534

malvernlibrary@quest.net

 
Members Want to be a Member?



This Week at the Library

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY


HOLIDAY BENEFIT DINNER


December 5, 2009


During Festival of Trees


Malvern Community Building Lower Level


6:00 PM


Tickets: Adults - $15, Children - $5


Tickets available at


Malvern Public Library and


Malvern Trust & Savings Bank


Menu:


Steak Medallions


Cheesy Potatoes


Holiday Green Beans


Festive Salad


Dinner Roll


Brownie Sundae


(Children's menu- Ages 10 & under, Chicken Strip dinner)


 


See the beautifully decorated trees on the upper level of the Community Building and come enjoy a Festive Holiday Dinner


complete with community 4-H Youth table servers


Sponsored by Friends of the Malvern Public Library


Steaks prepared by Mills-Montgomery Co. Cattlemen's Assn.


Supplemental Funds donated by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans


Proceeds will benefit Library technology and programming funds.


 


 


"MEMORIES OF MALVERN"


2010 PICTORAL CALENDAR NOW ON SALE


The images on the calendars are scenes of the early years in Malvern beginning in the 1800's.


Be sure to get your copy now. The beautiful photos in the calendar are local scenes that are familiar to anyone who has either visited or lived here, but they are of bygone days.


The calendars make great gifts for relatives or friends both near and far.


Stop by the library and get yours now.


 


What is a "DIGITAL MALVERN LEADER"???


Previously, research in the archives of the Malvern Leader newspaper was done with old, fragile, dusty bound volumes….OR….your could spend hours peering thru microfilm images on the quirky old microfilm reader. But unless you knew exactly what published date you were looking for, it was a long process.


But NOW, the Malvern Library presents the DIGITAL MALVERN LEADER. The Friends of the Library received two grants from the Mills County Community Foundation that allowed decades the old microfilm to be digitized and placed online on a website. The website, available at the library only, is capable of searching by dates and/or keywords...which is a real time saver.


In MINUTES rather than hours, you should be able to find the article or name you are searching for to complete your research and print what you need.


Thanks to the grant from the Mills County Community Foundation and the Friends of the Malvern Public Library, the years 1879 thru 2003 are now available online. With the cooperation of the Glenwood Public LIbrary the Opinion Tribune is also available as well as other volumes of newspapers no longer in print. Thanks to all who made this project possible.


  Check back here regularly to find out about more upcoming events.



Library of Congress: News 

Best Seller List BookSense.com
1. The Help
by Kathryn Stockett (Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam, ISBN: 9780399155345); Last week: 1; Weeks on List: * "This wonderful debut set in the rural South of the 1960s is a February 2009 Indie Next List Great Read."
2. The Man From Beijing
by Henning Mankell (Knopf, ISBN: 9780307271860); Last week: 3; Weeks on List: 2 "A new novel of suspense by the author of The Pyramid."
3. The Girl Who Played With Fire
by Stieg Larsson (Knopf, ISBN: 9780307269980); Last week: 2; Weeks on List: 31 "The highly anticipated sequel to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
4. Split Image
by Robert B. Parker (Putnam, ISBN: 9780399156236); Weeks on List: 1 "Parker's ninth novel to feature police chief Jesse Stone."
5. The Postmistress
by Sarah Blake (Amy Einhorn Books, ISBN: 9780399156199); Last week: 5; Weeks on List: 3 "Blake's stirring debut novel, set during WWII, is a February Indie Next List Great Read."