(Chelsea Update would like to thank Virginia Krueger for the information in this story.)
Each year Chelsea District Library (CDL) honors individuals who have been particularly generous in their service to the library.
The awards originated in 1992 as a small way to recognize the enormous gratitude CDL has for those individuals who help to further its mission. These dedicated individuals provide great value to the library by doing work above and beyond the normal scope of the CDL staff, such as running the monthly book sale, scanning materials into CDL’s historical databases, and so much more.
This year CDL celebrates the services of 2019 Friend of the Year Jo Ann Munce and 2019 Volunteer of the Year Meg Gower.
Munce has a long commitment to libraries, beginning with her first library card while a first grader in Ann Arbor to some of her early jobs at the Ann Arbor Public Library and University of Michigan’s Graduate Library.
She and her husband, Gary, moved to Chelsea nearly 25 years ago. In 1998, she participated in the successful effort to establish a library millage and bond for a new facility. More recently, she co-chaired the Yes! Committee, whose efforts helped to ensure passage of the August millage renewal.
Her organizational skills, keen insights, and passion for libraries were instrumental in the successful campaign. Currently, you may find her tending the Friendly Book Store shelves in the library lobby, or attending to the “care and feeding” of the Little Free Libraries in Pierce Park and Timbertown.
Gower moved to Chelsea in 2000 and immediately became an active CDL patron. In 2007, she responded to the call from the Library Arts Committee and contributed her artistic and architectural talents on projects including the design and implementation of the window well mural, the Reading Garden Pergola, and interactive Story Book walks at Silver Maples of Chelsea and the Eddy Discovery Center.
She continues to volunteer with creativity and a passion for science. Current volunteer efforts include leading Skynet Junior Scholars, an astro-photography program for teens and youth and donating her published children’s books Breakfast Moon and Michigan Moon to the CDL collections, as well as leading corresponding programming for kids.
The CDL staff thanks this year’s recipients, all of the friends and volunteers who help library staff to engage, inspire, and equip our community.
For information about volunteering, please contact Linda Ballard at 734-475-8732 x202. For more information on becoming a friend, visit www.friends.chelseadistrictlibrary.org.
Congratulations to both Jo Ann and Meg – worthy recipients of these awards. Thank you for your service!