Friends of the Libraries of Towns County Newsletter
Volume 11 Number 1 January 2010Comments from FOL President Marilyn Pierce
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marilyn Pierce, and I have lived in Towns County since 2005. A former resident of Florida, I was enticed to this area by its beauty and its lack of hurricanes! I first became involved in the Book Bunch and, later, in the Friends of the Library of Towns County. I am following in some very big footsteps, most recently shoes filled by our very professional and competent, Janice Cochran. We wish Janice a wonderful year as she awaits her fifth grandchild.
The Friends ended 2009 with a delicious lunch at Moschetto's Continental Café on December 1st. Julie Thompson, an eighth-grade teacher at the Towns County Middle School, shared a power point presentation about an innovative language arts program--the Reading Book Character Program. The program allows her students the opportunity to portray characters - in full costume - found in popular children's books. Then they entertain younger students, providing a chance to more fully understand the characters within a book in a very enjoyable way.
A business meeting followed, and we learned of the need to enlarge the Towns County Public Library. Debbie Phillips told us of the importance of contacting our state legislators for help with this project. She also told us about a unique "lending program" at her library - borrowing special theme or "character" cake pans. While unusual, this is just one of the many ways that libraries meet the needs of a local community.
Barbara Hale, leader of the Book Bunch, has helped us focus better on the types of books we will read and discuss during the coming year by instituting new guidelines for the group. Members had the opportunity to suggest and vote for various categories of books for the coming year. Donna Howell, Mountain Regional Library System Director, is assisting the Book Bunch in reaching out to a potentially wider number of participants by placing a very attractive display board in the library, with information about future meetings and the books which will be discussed. She has also printed flyers with similar information available as handouts in the library and included in the newsletter.
Donna Howell told us of additional cuts to the libraries' budgets, but that she is still able to purchase new books thanks, in part, to funds provided by the Friends. She would like to have FOLTC involved in a "strategic plan" for the library which will begin later this year. The FOLTC agreed to supply the library with two copies of every book chosen by the Book Bunch.
John Roberts, who served as FOLTC's president for several years and continues to chair the book sales with his able spouse, Jan, reported on the helpfulness of disposing of worn out books through a recycling group which was in town this fall.
Janice Cochran handed out certificates of appreciation to the many individuals who have helped our libraries over the past year.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARIES OF TOWN COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 2010
From left: Jan Roberts, Co-treasurer; Jane Manuszak, Co-treasurer; Chris Thompson, Co-Recording Secretary; Maureen Gustafson, Co-Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary; Doris Tilly, Vice-President; Marilyn Pierce, President; Janice Cochran, Immediate Past President; Jounida Bradley, Board Chair.
Doris Tilly, Vice President's Thoughts
We have one area of the Butterfly Garden that continually has a weedy grass that we cannot seem to eradicate. Groundcovers have been suggested. If you have a surplus of ajuga please let me know for planting in the spring. Ajuga seems to thrive in sun or slight shade and is pest free.
Many thanks.
Officer Roster
| President | Marilyn Pierce (706-379-6672) |
| Vice-President | Doris Tilley (706-379-1306) |
| Co-Recording Secretary | Maureen Gustafson (706-379-2637) |
| Co-Recording Secretary | Christine Thompson (706-379-2330) |
| Corr. Secretary | Maureen Gustafson (706-379-2637) |
| Co-Treasurer | Jane Manuszak (706-379-3538) |
| Co-Treasurer | Jan Roberts (706-994-0958) |
| Book Bunch | Barbara Hale (706-379-3296) |
| Membership | Jan Roberts (706-994-0958) |
| Newsletter | Linda Dye (803-230-2571) |
| Publicity | Janice Cochran (706-379-3419) |
| Scrapbook | Shirley Heide (706-379-3861) |
Notes from Book Bunch from Barbara Hale
Book Bunch bookmarks listing all the selections for 2010 are now available at both libraries and included with the Newsletter, thanks to Donna Howell's hard work. The libraries also are sporting displays featuring the choices, the discussion leaders for each month, and a brief synopsis of each of the books.
Just in case you miss all of this wonderful publicity, the January 20th book is a classic, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, with discussion led by Marilyn Pierce (the new FOL president). In February, on the 17th, the group will be discussing Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother. Lorraine Newton will lead the February discussion. Please plan to be present at noon on both of those days, and bring your lunch AND a new member.
Thoughts from Donna Howell, the Director
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had wonderful holidays and are getting 2010 off to a great start!
Things are hopping at the libraries! For the October - December 2009 quarter, library use was really up! The number of books and other items checked out, people coming to the library, reference questions answered, items loaned through PINES, and wireless internet use all increased by double digits. Too bad our budgets don't grow at the same rate as our use!
Despite the ongoing budget issues we face, our wonderful and creative library staff continues to find unique ways to help meet the needs and wishes of our library users. The Towns County Public Library has begun circulating themed cake baking pans. Yes, I said cake pans! The TCPL staff and some of their patrons have been collecting the pans at thrift stores and from eBay. They have about 14 ready and available for checkout within the MRL system and plan to add more as they find them. You may find all the cake pans in the PINES online catalog searching by keyword for "cake pans" - or come by TCPL and take a look!
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had wonderful holidays and are getting 2010 off to a great start!
Thanks from Friends. It's with much appreciation and love the FOLTC says "thanks" Janice Cochran for the wonderful year of guidance you gave us as President 2009. Words are inadequate, but please know every action, project, thought and step given was great. You are the BEST!! We are very glad you are not leaving, just changing positions. Enjoy your grandchildren.