Shankman’s work speaks volumes

Longtime volunteer steps back as president of Friends group

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Laurie DeWitt⁄The Gazette Eva Shankman has retired as president of Friends of the Olney Library, but the longtime library employee-turned-volunteer will continue to assist with projects and offer her special skills.

She had worked for the library system for 20 years, including 17 as the head children’s librarian in Silver Spring.

‘‘That was the best job I could have had,” Shankman said. ‘‘I love children and I love books.”

She began working as a substitute librarian, and became more involved with the Olney Library, joining both the volunteer Friends of the Olney Library and the Library Advisory Committee.

Shankman brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organizations, fellow volunteers agreed.

On Saturday, Friends of the Olney Library honored Shankman, the group’s outgoing president, for her service to the organization since it was founded six years ago.

Shankman, an Olney resident for 31 years, received a certificate acknowledging her years of dedication, along with a coffee table book entitled, ‘‘The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World.”

Friends of the Olney Library is one of 14 chapters under an umbrella organization of Friends of the Library of Montgomery County. The all-volunteer organization raises funds and advocates for the needs of local libraries.

Shankman said most of the highlights during her tenure with the Olney Friends revolved around programs for children and adults and the annual Autumn Festival.

Programs such as those are funded by a used book sale operated by the Friends.

‘‘We use this money to pay for events such as the summer reading program, bringing in guest performers, and supporting the library’s day-to-day programming needs,” she said. ‘‘We help the library get anything they need that is specifically for this branch, such as special book collections, furniture or video equipment.”

Shankman said she got particular enjoyment out of helping the children’s services department — perhaps no surprise to anyone — but helped with anything that was needed.

‘‘We help whenever asked, whether it be to honor a staff member, a volunteer, or celebrate a holiday,” she added. ‘‘Sometimes it involves money, such as paying for a performer, and other times we are just the spirit behind the event.”

Shankman said that after six years she felt the organization could benefit from some new blood.

‘‘The person chose to serve as president, Nena Ickes, is wonderful,” she said. ‘‘I am very happy to have her take over.”

Shankman said the organization is strong, but she is concerned that community involvement is steadily decreasing.

‘‘People don’t seem to put as much heart and talent into it,” she said. ‘‘It’s disappointing, but I attribute that to the fact that people are very stretched in their time these days. Things have changed tremendously since I retired.”

While the children’s programs are well attended, Shankman says she hopes the organization’s new leaders will strive to find different ways to bring more people into the other programs the library offers.

Even though she has stepped down from her presidential position, Shankman’s will still be a familiar face at the library. She will continue to serve the organization as its vice president, and she will continue to frequent the library as a patron, stocking up on books for the three book clubs she belongs to, as well as recorded materials.

In addition to Ickes, Shankman has confidence in the other forces that lead the library.

Daria Parry became the agency manager of the Olney Library in July, and Parker Hamilton was recently named director of Montgomery County Public Libraries.

Parry has mutual admiration for Shankman.

‘‘From the moment that I came to the Olney Community Library, Eva extended a warm welcome and quickly proved that she was a valuable asset to the library and the Olney community,” Parry said.

‘‘She brought her commitment and energy to the Friends of the Olney Library, especially to children’s programming and services,” Parry added. ‘‘The organization is certainly fortunate to have her. And we are more fortunate, because although she is stepping down as president, she will still be an energetic and creative force as one of the Friends’ directors.”

Shankman said she has known Hamilton for years, and she expects that with her vast experience she will take the library system into a better place.

‘‘I expect good things with the two of them,” she said.