OPPORTUNITIES for Oklahoma Friends of Libraries

 

 


Hillerman Literary Dedication

Oklahoma Literary Site Dedication
Honoring Tony Hillerman
Saturday, March 15 - 10 a.m.
Shawnee Public Library, 101 N. Philadelphia, Shawnee
 
The ceremony will feature Hillerman’s daughter, Anne Hillerman, with Tulsa author Michael Wallis acting as Master of Ceremonies.
Tony Hillerman was born in Sacred Heart in south Pottawatomie County in 1925, attended St. Mary’s Academy, graduated from Konawa High School, attended Oklahoma A & M for a semester, and then enlisted in the Army in 1943. He was honored with the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Purple Heart for his service in the European Theater.
 
He attended Oklahoma University, earning a B.A. in journalism, married Marie Unzner of Shawnee, and worked as a journalist in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico for 15 years, earning a M.A. in journalism from the University of New Mexico. He became a faculty member there, teaching until his retirement in 1987. Hillerman achieved fame with his Navajo police procedural series featuring characters Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. He published 18 novels in that series, dating from 1978 to 2006.
 
He published ten other titles, most notably his memoir, Seldom Disappointed (2001), and a photo guide to the Southwest, with the native stories connected to significant features, in Hillerman Country (1991). He received many awards in recognition of his literary achievements. Hillerman died in 2008.
 
Event sponsors are Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, Pioneer Library System, and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.


 
 
 

Endowments


Each year we rely on donations to continue supporting Friends of Libraries through awards, grants, and scholarships. With your help, we can continue our important work.
 
 
 

Best Friends (presented in Spring)


FOLIO presents two awards of $1,000 each to Oklahoma friends groups that demonstrate exemplary success in support of their local library. To be eligible, the friends group must have paid membership dues for the year of the award. Further information and criteria are on the application.
 
 
2024 Best Friends Awardees:  
  • John Harkey Best Friends: Friends of the Eufaula Memorial Library
  • Oklahoma Best Friends: Friends of the Helmerich Library - TCCL
 
 

Scholarships

The Lillian Born Norberg and Mary Lou Atkinson Staff Support Scholarships are offered to full or part-time employees of a public, academic, or special library in Oklahoma in the process of furthering their education. Scholarship awards will be presented at the annual FOLIO member’s luncheon, held during the Oklahoma Library Association Annual Conference in the spring. FOLIO has awarded these scholarships since 2006.
 
 
 

Seeds for Success

FOLIO has long been committed to early childhood literacy. Illiteracy has a lifelong impact on people’s health, earning power, mental health, & quality of life.

FOLIO is offering up to $500 grants for FOLIO-member Friends of Libraries groups to give books to preschoolers, particularly those living in poverty. Application due Dec. 31, 2024.

FOLIO is also offering grants to FOLs for free used picture books (50-100 books) to place in take-and-share book shelves or a Little Free Library® in day care centers, community centers, health centers, housing centers or related locations. Application due Dec. 31, 2024.
 
FOLIO Seeds for Success Application