Grahame Honored as Volunteer of the Year by Maryland Library Association

Friday, January 15, 2010 12:23:08 PM

During her years of volunteer service to the Calvert Library system, Martha Grahame has probably touched every book in the Calvert Library Prince Frederick.  Not only does she handle daily library tasks such as checking database information, collecting data for grant reports, processing interlibrary loan items, and conducting inventories, but she also organizes fund raisers, publishes and mails newsletters, manages library business and attends conferences.

This spirit of dedication and caring is what led the Maryland Library Association to name Grahame their Volunteer of the Year, honoring her at a luncheon at the organization’s annual conference held in Ocean City earlier this month.

Grahame has been a member of the Calvert Library board of trustees since 2001, President of the Friends of the Library since 1994, and member of the Library Foundation since its inception.  She also is President of the Southern Maryland Regional Library Assoc. (SMRLA) board of trustees, a position she has held since 2004.

“She puts in more volunteer hours per week than most people work,” said Patricia Hofmann, director of the Calvert Library system.  “She always has an enthusiastic, positive attitude no matter how menial or daunting the task before her.  Plus she brings the skill and diplomacy to positively impact policy for Calvert Library and beyond.”

Marcia Hammett, Branch Manager in Prince Frederick said, “Whatever hat she is wearing—board member, President of the Friends, volunteer, friend—she is always willing to help us.  One day I called to ask if she could help with delivery that morning and she said, ‘Thank you so much for calling me.  I’ll be there.’ What a friend!”

“Martha has worked tirelessly to help facilitate the continued growth of the regional library,” said Sharan Marshall, director of the SMRLA.  “She has participated in numerous advocacy events and has testified on behalf of SMRLA at a number of hearings before the General Assembly in Annapolis.”

According to Marshall, Grahame is a very effective board member who was instrumental in getting a library funding bill signed into law in Maryland.

Grahame’s service to the library stems from her commitment to literacy.  She has served on the Calvert County Literacy Council board for many years, holding the offices of treasurer and secretary.  She is also active in preparing and executing the annual Adult Spelling Bee, the major fund raiser for the Literacy Council.

Grahame also volunteers for the All Saints Episcopal Church and the Battle Creek Nature Education Society.  When she is not volunteering, she is often seen at library programs with her children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter, bringing the younger generations to the special bounty offered by Calvert Library—often made possible by her dedicated support.