Library Director and Friends’ President Jim Sauer with Abbie Storch (L) and Bessa Houseknecht (R), two of our three essay winners.

On Friday, April 8, Friends of the Library held their Annual Dinner. This year’s theme focused on Children’s literature. At the dinner, the Jonathan Orr Essay Contest winners were recognized and read their essays, which we’ve included here for your enjoyment. (Note: Rebecca Lundberg was unable to attend the dinner since she is studying aboard at Oxford.)

1st Place: Abbie Storch
2nd Place: Bessa Houseknecht
3rd Place: Rebecca Lundberg

Thank you to all that entered this year’s contest. We had a record number of entries. The judges had their work cut out for themselves!

Below are a few photos from the night. We recognized retiring board members John Crosby and Joy Dlugosz. Enjoyed a game of Jeopardy, with Children’s literature as the topic, and learn about early American Children’s lit. from the Rosenbach’s Associate Curator, Kathy Haas.

If you weren’t able to attend this year, we hope you’ll come next year!

Retiring board members Joy Dlugosz (L) and John Crosby (R), with current FOL trustee Rich Merriman (C)

Guest speaker Kathy Haas (R) and attendee Patrick Rodgers (L)