Joanne Zang Honored By Friends Of The Library

By Nancy K. Crevier

In a surprise ceremony on Sunday afternoon, September 24, at C.H. Booth Library, The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library honored longtime volunteer and library booster Joanne Zang for her many years of hard work, dedication, and volunteerism, with a bronze statue placed in the children’s garden outside of the library.

Ms Zang was the founder of the annual C.H. Booth Library book sale, beginning in 1975 with one card table full of books that raised $35 for the benefit of the library. The library book sale grew over the years to include thousands of book titles, puzzles, games, computer software, and music in a venue requiring 20,000 square feet. Ms Zang has continued to quietly volunteer and organize what has become a regional event over the years. Her observations have contributed to the addition of refreshments and entertainment during each year’s five-day book sale, which was traditionally held during the Labor Day weekend, until 2006 when it moved to the Fourth of July weekend in order to provide a better situation for its patrons.

“I was almost speechless. I was not anticipating this at all. It was totally out of the blue,” said Ms Zang of the Sunday statue presentation. She was lured by her friends and co-workers to the library on Sunday believing she would be attending a meeting for a new library committee. Fortunately for the Friends, Ms Zang, who normally volunteers several hours each week at the library, was out of town while the statue was set in place last week.

“It’s a beautiful statue,” said Ms Zang, “and I’m very touched. I thought it was over the top, but….” She added, “When you think of all of the people who help here at the library, this statue is a tribute to the whole group.”

Semiretired after more than 30 years of organizing the book sale, Ms Zang said it is nice to know the library book sale is in good hands, due to many dedicated volunteers. “We’ve raised over $1 million so far, and that does my heart good,” she said.

According to Friends of the C.H. Booth Library President Mary Maki, Ms Zang considers each year to be a new challenge, so far as the book sale is concerned. Serving the patrons better has always been Ms Zang’s goal. “Anyone watching you as you planned each event would be reminded of the Chinese proverb, ‘Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it,’” said Ms Maki in a statement read at Sunday’s ceremony.

Ms Zang is also responsible for revitalizing the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library in 1993. She started the Friends newsletter that same year and has produced it nearly every spring and fall since then.

In thanking Ms Zang for her many past and continued accomplishments, the Friends dedicated to Ms Zang the statue engraved “In Honor of Joanne Zang, Spirited Leader and Dedicated Volunteer, An Inspiration to All Who Love This Library, The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, September 2006.”