HAMPTON: A CENTURY OF TOWN AND BEACH, 1888-1988
Chapter 23 -- Part 2
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With Mrs. Geraldine Palmer as the first chairman, the Friends of the Lane Memorial Library was organized with 16 charter members in September 1968 to support the library by volunteering time and raising funds to provide services and articles that are beyond the normal operating budget of the library. Early Friends projects included mending books, labeling books, operating a local mobile book service for shut-ins, renovating the Children’s Room, and originating the art lending program. Funds have been used to refurbish the Reading Room and to purchase records and a microfilm reader. The organization’s members were leaders in the effort to build the new library addition, and the Friends contributed $3,000 for the architect’s rendering of the new addition. To raise money, the Friends, among other activities, have conducted bake sales and book sales, organized house tours and fashion shows, conducted a goods-and-services auction, and published Faces of Hampton, a book of photographs by Ralph Morang III.
-- Judith Park, with additions by PER
The organization received a temporary charter on December 29, 1931, and was granted a permanent charter on August 3, 1932. With 23 charter members, Marvin Young was the first commander and Dean B. Merrill was adjutant. In 1987, there were 282 members. Among the varied programs of the post are sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 177, Boys’ State, Cub Scouts, the school oratorical contest, and child welfare. The post conducts annual services on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veterans’ Day.
-— Roland W. Paige
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