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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. |
A Note from the PresidentThese days a lot of us turn to the internet for information and entertainment, leading some to think that it can replace our public libraries. I agree that the internet is an invaluable resource; I use it every day. But the library is equally valuable to me. Here are some of the ways I've used our Library in the past month:
So, how have you used the Library recently? Mark your calendars for an April 7th author night program featuring local author
Eleanor Wiley. This one will be at Books, Inc. rather than the library. Eleanor's new
book is There Are No Mistakes; Becoming Comfortable With Life As It Is, Not As It
"Should" Be. In this book, Eleanor identifies eleven attributes that can
help you to go through life with comfort and ease. Eleanor will distribute a string of
eleven beads to everyone attending the reading and explain how they can be used in
meditation. Note: Books, Inc. will donate 10% of the book's sales to the Friends. Books,
Inc. is located at 1344 Park Street. The program starts at 7:30 pm. Refreshments will be
served. ~Molly Skeen BALIS Workshop: "Beyond the Book Sale"Several Friends' groups around the Bay Area have found fun, family-oriented activities beyond book sales to raise lots of money for their libraries. Most of these don't involve as much sweat, toil, strain, etc. as a book sale and yet really connect the library in special ways to the community. Folks from Friends groups in Burlingame, Hayward, San Mateo and elsewhere will tell how they increased their Friends' groups' effectiveness in raising library funds. There also will be time for all to share ideas and energy.
Fliers with more information will be available soon; we do ask that folks let us know
in advance you're coming so we can alert security (the library won't open until noon). Pencil in that date! … The California Library Association (CLA) Legislative Day in Sacramento is scheduled for April 26. ~Marc Lambert Alameda in the Library of CongressI had a class assignment recently to explore the Library of Congress website www.loc.gov. There is, as one would expect, a staggering amount of information at that website. For this article I thought it would be interesting to search the website for information pertaining to our fine community, Alameda. I found 22 items in the combined collection of Historic American Buildings Survey, Historic American Engineering Record, and Historic American Landscapes Survey. The number one item on the list is our beloved city hall. One can then choose among
links to the photos, or the 28 pages of data about the photos, or lastly, the captions
page. There are five black and white photographs, taken in 1981. Within the 28 pages of
descriptive data, one can find architectural drawings of the original exterior (page 13)
and a floor plan for each of the three floors (pages 14-15). Pages 21 through 23 have
sketches of designs that competed with the ultimate design from architect George Percy. The architect was quoted in the June 20, 1894 edition of the Alameda Argus: "It is in the Romanesque style with a Spanish treatment, and is, we think, the most pleasing and appropriate style for a city of the plan and character of Alameda." The February 13, 1896 issue of the Alameda Argus shows, in an inviting graphical technique, a composite of several portions of the building. The following day there was a newspaper report about opening night festivities. "Immediately following the dedication ceremonies, there was dancing to a 9-piece orchestra in the Library Hall of the new building from 8:30 until midnight." I imagine there was another grand party when the library moved to its next location, in 1902. Try this link to see these charming images and documents: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.ca1296.
Users may download or print images viewed online. Alternatively, users can order copies
of various types through the Library of Congress Photoduplication Service
(202-707-5640). Call Number: CAL,1 ALAM,1
Path I followed from Library of Congress home page:
~Mari Clark Friends Officers & Committee ChairsPresident: Molly Skeen |
