Volunteer of the Month: Larry Needham by Peri Haye s
Sponsored By Royal Oak Senior Living The St. Thomas Public Library Board provides counsel to the Library, with their monthly meetings held at this establishment from September until June. Larry Needham, proud member on the Board and Chairman of the Advocacy Committee, introduces, “I have been involved ever since I came to St. Thomas 34 years ago, and I always wanted to be on the Library Board. I coached for my kids while they were growing up, and it was when they went to university that this position on the Board was being advertised. I put my name in and was selected; this was about three years ago.” Concerning the evolving Advocacy Committee, Larry offers, “I have been in this role for about nine months. There wasn’t an active Advocacy Committee prior to this, and what we are aiming to do in this formative stage is define what this advocacy means. We are empowering the Library in a variety of ways, including with one of many programs which is called VOLT.” Insightful statistics are utilized as a means to hone in on the economic value of the Library to the City of St. Thomas. Using VOLT’s analysis, formal and informal presentations about the benefits of the local Library are prepared with care. Larry enthuses about his volunteer service, “I find the value of the Library, seeing this space as one of the keys to the community. The Library’s motto is ‘We Connect’: to information, groups and programs, the Maker’s Lab, the internet and online courses -- the list goes on. As a regular user of the Library, I previously knew merely one-quarter of their extensive resources. It is incredible, the layers that this Library has. The most exciting part for me is to find these supports, and then promote them to the community.” While discussing the benefits to being on the Board, Larry earnestly voices, “It’s the impact -- we are involved in something that impacts the community in a huge way. You can walk into the Library and realize how many different people are using the space across all spectrums. It’s a community hub, and I
think supporting that and being a member on the Board of Directors is great for seeing first-hand what we create here. Through the depth that the Library has and the educational opportunities, so much is fostered. This is what we are part of; this is why we do this.” For those interested in applying, the Board of Directors presently has an open seat. Refer to the City of St. Tho- mas’ website for postings regarding available positions: stthomas.ca. Visit stthomaspubliclibrary.ca/library-board for further infor- mation about the Board of Directors. Moreover, inquir- ies are invited by email to CEO, Heather Robinson, at hrobinson@stthomaspubliclibrary.ca.
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Page 10 Boomers and Beyond – Elgin • June 2025
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