2021 Friends of the Nelson Library Annual Meeting Minutes

Friends of the Olivia Rodham Memorial Library 

“Who are the Friends?” you might ask. The answer in Nelson is that back in July, 1973 an invitation was extended to many people to form a friends group, and the fourteen persons who expressed an interest were the charter members along with the six library trustees and the librarian. “The name of the organization shall be: Friends of the Olivia Rodham Memorial Library of Nelson, New Hampshire.” This is a quote from a copy of the by-laws found in the Nelson Town Archives. It goes on to say: “Purpose of the organization: to focus attention on services rendered by the Olivia Rodham Library, to offer voluntary assistance when called upon by the librarian or the trustees, to assist in fund raising to supplement the Library’s budget.” The dues have gone up from a dollar for an individual membership but everything else has stayed the same. The fiscal year is from September first to August 31st. The officers are president, treasurer and secretary. The annual meeting is in July or August. Everyone is welcome.

The current officers of the Friends group are Donna Kidd, president; Betsey Church, treasurer; Sarah Wilson, secretary. There are now many friends who are individual, family and sustaining members. Thank you to all of you who have joined and who continue to support our valuable Nelson public library. Membership is open to all. Please join us. We do have fun while we work on behalf of the Olivia Rodham Memorial Library. You do not have to pay dues to work, by the way. Just show up!

Susan Hansel, a friend of the library.(2018)

Year Round Book Sale at the Library ( This has been suspended until further notice)

Beginning on Saturday, January 5, 2018 , The Library Lower Level will be open from 9 to 11 so that people can purchase books. There are many almost new books, both fiction and non-fiction on the shelves ready to be browsed. The prices are reasonable, and Kris, the librarian, is constantly getting new donations, and she frequently discards older books from the library shelves to make room for new purchases. This will be a first Saturday of every month event. All the money collected will be given to the library to purchase new books. It’s a win-win opportunity to support your local library. So join us before you go to coffee hour and the weekly program upstairs in the library. See you in January!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Olivia Rodham Library