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Friends of the Collection - Who are the Friends?
The Friends of the Merril Collection is an organization through which
members of the science fiction community can support the collection.
The Friends was originally a citizen advisory group to the Toronto Public
Library Board. It has its own constitution and bylaws. The stated objectives
of the organization, according to its constitution are:
- To increase awareness of works of the fantastic imagination and of
Canadian contribution to this field.
- To advise the Toronto Public Library Board on policy matters concerning
the collection in consultation with the Library's staff.
- To act as a resource for The Merril Collection and other public and
private collections in Canada and elsewhere in consultation with the
staff of the Toronto Public Library Board.
What do the Friends do?
The Friends of the Merril Collection is not a fan organization;
it is a group of members with a common interest: to promote the collection
and to make it the best public collection of speculative fiction in the
world. Currently our two main means of accomplishing that task are by
publishing the quarterly newsletter SOL Rising, and by sponsoring appearances
at the Library by prominent people in science fiction, fantasy and related
fields. Three appearances or other programming are scheduled quarterly
with the fourth quarter being devoted to the annual membership meeting
and informal get-together. Additional events are also scheduled from time
to time.
What do you get for your membership?
- Members are entitled to vote at all meetings of
The Friends of the Merril Collection, including the annual membership
meeting in May each year.
- You will receive all issues of SOL Rising which
are published during your membership year.
- Your membership entitles you to free admission
to all programming events sponsored by The Friends (our guests have
included Neil Gaiman, Lois McMaster Bujold, Orson Scott Card, Samuel
R. Delany, Nancy Kress, Glen Cook, Gene Wolfe, Candas Jane Dorsey, Tanya
Huff, Robert J. Sawyer and more). Price of admission for non-members
to such events will be $5 to $10. Members will receive advance notification
of such events and an opportunity to attend a reception for our guest
following the regular appearance (there will usually be an extra charge
for the reception, in order to recover costs).
- Members receive a 10% discount on all purchases made at BakkaPhoenix Science Fiction Bookstore, 697 Queen Street West, Toronto ON M6J 1E6, 416-963-9993. Purchase may be made by mail or in person (membership card must be shown if you are not known to the store staff).
How to Contact the Friends of the Merril Collection:
- Email friends@friendsofmerril.org
- Visit Friends of the Merril Collection
- Write to us at the address below:
The Friends of the Merril Collection
c/o
The Merril Collection of Science
Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy,
239 College Street, 3rd Flr.,
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA,
M5T IR5
- Phone the library at 416-393-7748 and leave a message.
Updated on: July 17, 2006
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