Library’s Friends hoping to continue success under direction of new president

Mike Sundin walked into a recent meeting of the Friends of the Canton Public Library as an interested volunteer and walked out as the new president of the group.

Friends President Mike Sundin

“It was suggested to me that I might want to attend the meeting,” he said with a laugh. “I was not sure that I was going to volunteer for the position.”

Sundin said he will do his best to build on the leadership of past president Deni Garabedian, who, along with her husband, is retiring and moving to the Cape after the New Year.

Growing up, Sundin spent a lot of time at his local library. “I loved the Dedham library,” he said. “Libraries are a good place for anyone, but especially for kids and families.”

In 1994, he and his wife, Deb, moved to Canton with their twin daughters, Audrey and Elena, who are now 21. The couple opened Hearts and Stars bookstore at the Village Shoppes and participated in joint events with the library.

The Friends have worked throughout the years to bring a variety of programs to the library as well as to raise funds to help provide new materials. The group has supported the annual book sales, princess and superhero sleepovers, and monthly coffee house musical performances.

“It’s very much a team effort,” Sundin said. “A lot of people work behind the scenes. There’s a strong volunteer base.”

He described the relationship between the Friends and Library Director Mark Lague and the library staff as strong, which has helped the group stay in tune with the needs of the library.

Sundin sees his role as one of organizing the energies of the Friends to sustain the diverse programs offered at the library and to reach out to the community, both to increase the Friends’ membership and to bring more people into the library.

“I think the library has been and continues to be a force in the community for all kinds of people,” he said. “We need new opportunities to reach out to those who don’t use it as much.”

Once of those opportunities is through publicity. The Friends are planning to use online sites, such as Facebook, to connect the library with more community members.

Sundin acknowledges that succeeding Garabedian in the role of president will be a challenge. “I admire her,” he said. “The depth of the interaction she’s had with the community is amazing. I’m a little intimidated at following in her footsteps.”

For her part, Garabedian will miss her association with the place she calls the heart of the community. “We have a wonderful library in Canton,” she said, “as well as a talented and dedicated staff. Mark Lague has been so supportive and helpful.”

Although the Friends do a great deal of fundraising, Garabedian is proudest of the programs they have brought to the library.

“We have something for music, culture and education,” she said. “Movies for the kids in the summer, the coffeehouses, author visits. I have enjoyed my time there. It’s been a delight.”

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Nov 25 2010. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.