Durham County Library Holds ‘The Color Purple’ Contest for Teens

Durham County Library invited high school students to enter a writing and art contest for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the May 17 performance of The Color Purple at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The contest was made possible by a $15,000 donation from Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company to the Durham Library Foundation. More than 80 pairs of tickets were awarded.

“This contest is a great way to promote reading among young people in the Durham community,” said M. Hager Rand, Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s president and chairman. “It gives us an opportunity to support the excellent programs provided by the Durham County Library.”

High school students entered the contest by reading the novel and then writing a two-page essay on a major character that answers the question, “What role do you think your selected character plays in the novel?” Students also entered by drawing a detailed picture of their favorite scene from the book.

“This contest shows how much our kids can benefit when we collaborate,” said Karlene Fyffe, the library’s youth services manager. “We have a private company partnering with a public entity which in turn supports the patronage of another downtown Durham cultural resource. Our teens are encouraged to read, to write, to draw and to appreciate the arts. It’s a win-win-win.”

Photos:  Durham Library Foundation board members Ann Craver (incoming board president) and Placide Barada (board secretary) greeted the students at the Durham Performing Arts Center on the evening of the play.  Several of the students were delighted to have their art work displayed in the lobby of the DPAC as well.  For many of the young people, this was their first time seeing a show in the new facility and they definitely enjoyed this opportunity made possible by the Durham Coca Cola Bottling Company and the Durham Library Foundation!

Willis Whichard Recognition

Dear Friends and Supporters,

It is hard to imagine it has been nine years since the Articles of Incorporation for the Durham Library Foundation were filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State.  It is even more incredible to note that one man has served as President of the Foundation throughout this time.  That remarkable individual is Willis P. Whichard.

We began this organization with little more than the hopes and dreams of four former Library Trustees and a nearly empty bank account.  Under Willis’ leadership, our Board has grown in competence and numbers, and is actively engaged in the management of the Foundation and in planning for the future.  We have raised an impressive 3 million dollars, including 1.5 million to match an NEH challenge grant for a Humanities Endowment.  Through generous corporate and individual benefactors, we now have 15 different Funds, including the Leona and Willis P. Whichard Endowment for the North Carolina Collection.  Gifts from the Foundation to the Library have provided a margin of excellence in services and programming that would not have happened without our support.  Because of the Foundation, there are award-winning Humanities programs, a more robust and far-reaching Summer Reading Program, a significant art project for the new South Regional Branch, and more public access computers and enhancements to the collection.  Willis has been there to lead us every step of the way with his strong governance skills, his public-speaking, his indefatigable fundraising, and his deeply held passion for the Library as an institution critical to democracy and the healthy fabric of our community.

Willis has always said that one of his hopes for the Foundation is that it may enable the Library to participate in “unexpected opportunities” for which the County budget will not allow.  In honor of his nine years of leadership, we created just such an Opportunity Fund. Willis, the Board and Library Director Skip Auld will work together with him to determine the most appropriate use of the Fund.  We will, of course, share with you the exciting news of how your gifts have been utilized to support the Library.

We announced the Fund and SURPRISED Willis at a reception preceding our Annual Meeting on Monday, May 18th, the last meeting at which he presided as President.

Sincerely,
Ann W. Craver
President, Durham Library Foundation