Monday, March 21 is World Poetry Day, a day the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) set aside in 1999 to recognize the many wonderful forms of poetry that entertain, challenge and inspire us. In honor of this auspicious occasion, we present the following “Ode to the Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island” (FOLSOI.)
When budgets are tight, a library depends
On timely assistance from book-loving friends
Southport and Oak Island have come to enjoy
The efforts of Friends who belong to FOLSOI
FOLSOI raises funds through used book sales and grants
Our generous donors, when given the chance
Fund books in the genres and types they hold dear
For Barbee and Harper Libraries each year
With our bargain prices, used book sales are final
For books, puzzles, DVDs, records of vinyl
These gently used items can still provide thrills
Reuse them and keep them out of our landfills!
We sponsor great programs live-streamed over Zoom
Or at the library with folks in the room
We host “Meet the Author” events where you might
Discover new fiction to bring you delight
On “Opera Sunday” (postponed, sad to say)
The UNCW folks come our way
With opera snippets, new programs each year
A joyous tradition that many hold dear
The Lego robotics gained FOLSOI acclaim
By helping kids learn while just playing a “game”
Perhaps these young folks will go on to careers
With skills they acquired from our volunteers
Library STEM programs and reading for tots
Informative workshops, yes, we offer lots!
Support from the Friends brings you all this and more
New library resources you can explore
So many achievements that we can extol
But rest on our laurels? That’s not how we roll!
Our “Voice of the Customer” survey last year
Was shared with the County; our findings made clear
That vibrant libraries are more than a “space”
Improvements are needed if they’re to keep pace
Commissioners listened and changes are due
Stay tuned – we will soon have some good news for you!
Learn more at www.folsoi.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
LOVE THIS! The entire FOLSOI board of directors is incredibly grateful for talented volunteers like Barbara!
Awesome poem! What a fun tribute to the efforts of the FOLSOI volunteers!
Terrific!