Mary Phillips
Mary was one of five members that reimagined the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library. She created a monthly database for membership, acknowledged receipt of membership applications and donations with a handwritten note, helped to rewrite the Friends’ Bylaws, and as Secretary, produced detailed recordings of the bimonthly meetings with a distribution to the Friends’ Board members. She represented the Friends at many events including marching with the library staff at the Memorial Day Parade and dressing in costume for the Halloween Storywalk each year. She worked at the May and September Book Sales helping with signage, sorting of books, and setting up for the events. She passed away in September of 2023, and it took many people to fill her shoes with all of her contributions.
The Friends of the Bethlehem Public Library are honoring Mary Phillips, previous officer and Secretary of the Board, with a plaque on the new fish tank in the library. The plaque simply states, “In memory of Mary Phillips, cornerstone officer of the FOBPL.” Mary’s husband, Bruce, now sits on the Friends of the Library Board and has been on-site to see the plaque that honors Mary.
friendsofbethpl.org 