Friends of the Fall River Public Library celebrate 50 years of boosting local arts scene

FALL RIVER — Everyone needs a good friend, even if you’re a library.

The Friends of the Fall River Public Library are celebrating 50 years of friendship with the Fall River Public Library.

It all began in 1972, when Melvin Yoken approached then-head librarian George Pillion with an idea for forming the Friends group.

“I had noted that other cities near and far were doing that at that time. I always liked literature, knew many of the leading contemporary writers … and thought it would be a good idea for the City of Fall River,” he recalled.

Yoken was teaching French literature and comparative literature at Southeastern Massachusetts University at the time (today it is UMass Dartmouth). As founder, he was elected as the first president of the Friends of the Fall River Public Library, a role he held until 1980, and formed the first board of directors. He has also served as the president of the University of Massachusetts Claire T. Carney Library Associates and as the group’s program chair.

“I knew a number of very capable people in Fall River who would help me, and they did,” said Yoken.

From the beginning, the Friends have sponsored programs like book talks, art programs, and cultural events. They also contribute books and equipment to the library.

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The Friends started sponsoring programs in 1973 and their first guests were Garson Kanin, the writer, and his wife, Ruth Gordon, the actress. "They were on Martha’s Vineyard at the time, and being good friends of mine, they came to Fall River at my behest, and wowed an overly packed audience — about 500 people — with their tales and adventures," said Yoken. "It was an unforgettable first event of our intrepid, devoted group.”

Yoken said other memorable guests over the years have included: the Boston Red Sox’s Dom DiMaggio (brother of Joe); novelist Gladys Hasty Carroll; poet Barbara Howes; writer Carleton Beals; and radio personality Jean Bancroft.

Fifty years later, the Friends are still holding events celebrating the local literary scene.

On Saturday, June 4, the Friends are sponsoring a local author book fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the library’s 104 N. Main St. location.

Guests will have the chance to meet writers from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and to preview their work. There will also be refreshments, a Q&A with the authors, and a raffle featuring some bookish prizes.

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There’s also a Friends of the Fall River Public Library Bookstore, open year-round, on the second-floor balcony of the library. For more information, including how to donate to the bookstore, call 508-324-2700, ext. 122, or try the Reference Deptartment, ext. 3.

Membership in the Friends is open to anyone, and all funds raised by the Friends benefit the library.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Friends of the Fall River Public Library celebrate 50th anniversary