Retirement Reception for Mrs. Leola King

Glenmora, Louisiana—Monday, October 14 at 2 p.m. there will be a retirement reception at the J.W. McDonald Memorial Branch Library in Glenmora for Mrs. Leola King. Mrs. King has volunteered with the Friends of the Library for over 20 years. Mrs. King has been a mainstay for the Friends of the Library in Glenmora.  She is also a long-time participant on the Friends Board, representing Glenmora in the larger group.

“She has always been a leader and an inspiration to the group, who has had great ideas and worked hard to see them through,” Rapides Parish Library Director Steve Rogge said.  “Since long before the Glenmora Branch became the McDonald Memorial Branch, Leola has been crucial to the success of book sales, as well as bake sales and other fund raisers.  I have appreciated her good ideas, her hard work and the cheerful way that she has always approached Friends projects.”

Many librarians from all over the state know the McDonald Branch of the Rapides Parish Library, because during their meetings Mrs. King has prepared and served breakfast, lunch and snacks for them.

Over the years Mrs. King, along with other volunteer Friends of the Library, has worked hard to raise money in support of Library programs and events. Some of the most significant projects Mrs. King’s work went to support were:

·         Wooden fence that bounds the McDonald property

·         Formal chairs and cabinet, and the J. W. McDonald Memorial Branch rug in foyer

·         New teen and children’s furniture

·         The addition of a back room full of gifts for sale

·         Several book sets

·         Appliances for the staff break area

·         Technology equipment

·         Maintenance tools

·         Lighted Drink Fountain, Lighted World Globe

·         Summer Reading Program refreshments

“I know I have left many contributions off, because in our years together she has done so much for our library,” said Gail Goldberg, Manager of the J.W. McDonald Branch Library. “Everything that was done by Mrs. King was from money that was raised by the Glenmora Friends under Mrs. King’s leadership.  Our branch, staff and community will miss her dearly.

“Mrs. King was active with my teens (TAB) from their inception,” Goldberg continued. “At the Southern Forestry Museum during Halloween, Mrs. King always packed food and drinks for the TAB, so they could entertain for the people.  Mrs. King introduced our Name a Bear Contest.  She always participated in our float for the Glenmora Christmas Parade.  She led the Friends in raising money, so our library could do these things without asking for money from our administration.  At Christmas, Mrs. King always made a Gingerbread House to be given away in a reading contest. She also came up with the build your own Sundae and the 12 foot Subway Sandwich program.”

The J.W. McDonald Memorial Branch Library is located at 1075 Hwy 497 in Glenmora. For information on the reception or Fall Bake and Book Sale, call JoAnn Perry at 419-2841, or Gail Goldberg at 748-4848.

Visit www.rpl.org to find out more about the Rapides Parish Library. You can also call 445-2411 for more information about the Library and about donations.

The Rapides Parish Library is a medium-size public library, serving Rapides Parish located in central Louisiana. The library consists of a Main Library, 5 urban branches, 4 rural branches, a bookmobile, a van service to the homebound, and a van service to child development centers.