Southport Magazine

Many published authors make their home in coastal Carolina, and this year’s Annual Meeting for the Friends of the Library Southport-Oak Island offers the chance to meet four of them. “The author panel includes an eight-time Pulitzer prize nominee, national award winners, and an author whose latest book is being produced as a feature film. Never before have such an accomplished group of local authors been assembled to speak with their readers and offer their signed books for sale,” said Diana Fotinatos, Publicity Chairman for the Friends of the Library Southport-Oak Island (FOLSOI). The annual meeting is scheduled for 1-3 pm on Sept. 13 at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St. in Southport. FOLSOI is a non-profit that offers financial and organizational support to the Southport and Oak Island libraries. 

During the meeting, the FOLSOI Board of Directors will share reports about the organization’s accomplishments over the past year and the finances, and offer a slate of officers for the next year. The meeting is also the kickoff for the group’s annual membership drive, Fotinatos said. Attendees can renew their memberships or join as new members. 

“This program gives members a chance to meet the FOLSOI board of directors, branch managers, and the new library director. It also affords attendees an opportunity to ask any questions about our county libraries,” Fotinatos said. 

After the brief meeting, Randy Aldridge, formerly an anchor with WWAY-TV3, will lead a panel discussion with four local authors — Teri M. Brown, John Graves, Jeff Siebold, and Jean Heller. 

Authors’ books will be available for purchase (cash or check only) and there will be time for questions and socializing. 

Memberships in FOLSOI help support the organization and the many programs it hosts throughout the year. “Becoming a member of the Friends of the Library for as little as $10 a year really matters and helps pay for programs and materials for the collection that are not covered by the county budget,” Fotinatos said. “That includes the entire summer reading program at both branches, robotics, chess, elementary and middle school book clubs, Let’s Talk About It, Senior Tech Workshop, Meet the Author, in addition to many other programs. It also allows us to fund additional large print books, audiobooks, ebooks, Battle of the Books collections, and other in demand material for the collections.”

FOLSOI also hosts other events throughout the year, including lifelong learners programs, a Socrates discussion group, children’s reading and learning programs, family game time, and much more; visit https://folsoi.org for more details on the organization. 

Fotinatos encourages all book lovers to join the FOLSOI — new members can join anytime online or at the Once More Bookstore, at Southport Realty, 727 North Howe St. 

“Becoming a friend of the library is one of the best investments a local resident can make to transform their community,” she said. “Libraries are a resource for people of any age to find what they need to improve their quality of life. They are the great equalizer in today’s society and play an increasingly critical role in leveling the playing field by providing free access to technology and information resources to everyone. Strong libraries equal strong communities.”