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Friends of the Alameda Free Library |
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Statement of purpose: To increase public awareness of the library as an essential part of the community’s educational and cultural facilities. And to support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities. |
Needed VolunteersFriday June 24: Setup at O'Club (Will call with time) We need anyone who can give us an hour or two. No Volunteers, No Sale. Remember this is how Friends pays for Summer Reading Programs. PLEASE VOLUNTEER by calling Adair at 865-0347. President’s ReportIn May, my husband and I traveled through the Southwestern and Rocky Mountain states. We
camped. We toured botanical gardens. We saw the Carlsbad Caverns. And we visited quite a
few public libraries along the way. At each library stop, I checked to see if there was an active Friends of the Library organization. It was inspiring to see that most communities do support their public libraries through a Friends group. In Las Cruces, New Mexico, the Friends raised $15,000 to replace books damaged by an outbreak of mold in the library. The Littleton, Colorado Friends group holds annual poetry contests and storytelling festivals. In Phoenix, the Friends volunteer their time to support the library's First Five Years early literacy program. Over the summer I plan to learn more about the range of programs that other Friends groups offer. And I'd like to have your feedback to see if we should make any changes. Watch for a questionnaire in the September newsletter and help us decide. Have a great summer and be sure to check out the local libraries in your travels. ~Molly Skeen From the MinutesLibrary Director's Report. In Susan Hardie's place, Laura Chaquette presented the library director's report. On May 17, the city council will receive next year's budget proposal from the city manager. No more reductions have been made in the library's budget or hours of service. On June 7, the council will consider the policy about recognizing donors to the new library. Donors of various amounts (beginning at a minimum of $5000) will be recognized with plaques, the privilege of naming rooms, and so on. Susan recently attended the Chipman School program at which Laura Bush lauded the school for its reading program. The new library building is progressing and in August erection of the steel structure will begin. The library will soon receive a shipment of 875 CDs as the result of a national price-fixing lawsuit against several music companies. Library Building Team Report. Honora was absent. However, Richard reported that
the foundation for the new library is being laid. Old BusinessBooks for schools. Members Claudia Fenelon and Mark Schoenrock attended again in connection with their offer to provide funds for school media centers to acquire books from our book sale. Claudia has learned that the Alameda Education Foundation doesn't have the administrative staff to provide reimbursement. Someone suggested giving each of the 18 media specialists $25 vouchers to be used as cash, and Claudia brought a sample voucher for us to examine. She has been in touch with Molly, Gert and Adair about this by e-mail, but none of them were present to comment. Claudia asked whether the media specialists will have to pay the usual $5 fee for the pre-sale. Kate moved, and Archie seconded, that we waive the fee; John objected that this would seem unfair to all those who pay the fee. Carol suggested that a copy of a ticket be included with the voucher, and Kate amended the motion to include a ticket. In answer to a question from Claudia about who should sign the cover letter, Shelley said it seems appropriate for Molly to do so. The amended motion passed unanimous-ly. Mark asked for the electronic file of the Friends letterhead. Carol will provide it. Adult Literacy Program. Jordona Elderts thanked us for our contribution to the book club. She also clarified some issues about the Alameda Reads! party, for which we had offered to send the invitations. However, Jordona feels this will make the event seem like a Friends-only occasion. She brought some handouts describing the overall program and the party, which will cost a total of $3000. She asked us to contribute $750 toward it. Archie moved that we approve that amount, John seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Nominating committee. Shelley reported that the results of the nominating
committee's search for nominees for next year's officers have not changed: Molly, Richard,
and John have all agreed to continue in their present positions if elected, but Carol
cannot do so. Richard asked for nominations from the floor; there were none. Jo Winzenread
suggested that several members share the job of secretary, or that the job be handled on a
rotating basis. This problem was left open. The three candidates who've agreed to serve
were automatically elected. New BusinessDirector's retirement. Richard read a very gracious letter that Molly received from Susan, announcing Susan's September retirement as the library director and thanking the Friends for our support over the years. Funding request. We also received a letter from Jane Chisaki thanking us for our past support and asking us for a donation of $9600 to be used for the 2006 summer reading program and other '05-'06 children's programs. Discussion was postponed until the next meeting (see report below). Membership Report. Pete's report shows 217 members paid up through 2005 (11 more than last month) and 35 new members (two more than last month). Book Sale. Gert and Adair were both absent. (The sale is still on for June 24-26 at the DeWitt Officer's Club at Alameda Point) Junior Friends' Report. Jo Winzenread reported that there will be an event at the
BFI library on May 21 having a Celebrate America theme. (see report below). ~Carol Stone Children's Library Doings and PlanLast summer the reading program had over 1500 participants. The three special presenters during the year attracted more than 100 children at each of their appearances; Nick Barone had 140 at his Children's Book Week puppet show. This summer's program will start June 18 and continue to August 13th. The Recognition Ceremony will be two weeks later, we hope to have a much bigger participation than last year, so mark your calendars! The reading program theme is "Get Wrapped up in Reading"; staff is already being creative with the Egyptian idea. There also will be some activities around the new Harry Potter release July 16.
Junior Friends' Activity
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