Friends of the Libraries of Towns County Newsletter
Volume 11 Number 4 July 2010Comments from FOL President Marilyn Pierce
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: It is especially important at this time that we have updated email addresses, since we would like to begin sending out the Newsletter electronically to those preferring that format. We will probably start doing this in January, 2011. It would be a considerable cost-saver, and we would have more money to spend on items for the libraries! In addition, you may also receive copies of our strategic planner's (Lyn Hopper) weekly "Planning Buzz", and find out how our planning team is progressing. Please put your email address in the "Membership Renewal Form" area enclosed in each newsletter and return it to the address indicated. Thank you for your cooperation. If you have already renewed your membership and would like to receive the newsletter by email, please send your request to: Jane Farrell at farrellj@windstream.net or give her a call at 706-896-7254.
May was a much quieter month than April. Pages in the Park took place on Saturday, May 22, 10 am-2 pm in Mayor's Park in Young Harris. It was sponsored by the Towns County Community Action Team (C.A.T.) for the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy and the Lake Chatuge Rotary Club. Several authors were present, and activities for children and refreshments were available. Turnout was modest, probably due to the uncertainty of the weather, but Director, Donna Howell, and Regional Library Assistant, Elaine Delcuze (who is also the library liaison to the Ferst Foundation), along with some FOLTC members did sell some books from the Book Cart, as well as some bumper stickers (which may be purchased at the libraries). We also renewed some memberships and signed up some residents for library cards.
At the June 1 FOLTC meeting we talked about the special merits of one of our members (though there are certainly many others!). Jim Hale has been an active member and office-holder in FOLTC for many years; a former professor at Young Harris College, an instructor at ICL classes (continuing education classes for adults) at the college, an active member of the Book Bunch, and our "chief book expert" for the book sales. He can tell you how to recognize a first edition, as well as give you an idea of the value or rarity of a book. Jim's intelligence, expertise, and extensive knowledge in many areas make him an invaluable member of any organization. Anyone who has been present at the Book Bunch when Jim has been the discussion leader is assured of an interesting and thorough presentation--one worthy of an entire college course, in fact.
FOLTC will hold its second book sale of the year on the last two weekends of August. The bake sale was so successful last year that it will also be held for two consecutive weekends. The dates for this event will be: Friday and Saturday, August 20 and 21, and Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28. The hours on Fridays will be 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Members Only Night will take place on Thursday, August 19th from 5:00-7:00 pm. A special meeting for FOLTC members will be held on Tuesday, July 20th at 10:30 am at the Mountain Regional Library in Young Harris, in order to plan for this sale.
It was also decided that polo/golf shirts - royal blue with the FOLTC emblem in white embroidery on the upper left side - would be ordered for those members wishing to purchase them. The cost is $16.98 and up (depending upon size) per shirt, available in both men's and women's sizes. Orders are being taken by Jan Roberts. Her email address is:
Officer Roster
| President | Marilyn Pierce (706-379-6672) |
| Vice-President | Doris Tilly (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) |
| Treasurer | Jane Manuszak (706-379-3538) |
| Book Bunch | Barbara Hale (706-379-3296) |
| Membership | Jane Farrell (706-896-7254) |
| Newsletter | Linda Dye (803-230-2571) |
| Publicity | Janice Cochran (706-379-3419) |
| Scrapbook | Shirley Heide (706-379-3861) |
Book Bunch Info from Barbara Hale, Chairman
The July Book Bunch selection is Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. The group will gather on Wednesday, July 21, at 1:00 P.M. to join Marilyn Pierce in the discussion.
In August members should plan to volunteer to help set up for the August Book Sale and to participate in working at the two weekends of the sale. This is also a good time to check to be sure that you are current on your membership in the Friends of the Library. We don't really have a vacation in August, just different work to do.
AUGUST BOOK AND BAKE SALE
Thursday, August 19th 5:00-7:00pm*
Friday, August 20th 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday, August 21st 10:00am-2:00pm
Friday, August 27th 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday, August 28th 10:00am-2:00pm
*Members only saleAugust Book Sale by Cochairs, John and Jan Roberts
It's that time of year again. We are getting ready for our August Book and Bake Sale. We are still accepting books for our August book sale. We have already received many very good books and are sorting as fast as we can. Please do not bring magazines. They do not sell and only end up in the trash. So if you have been waiting to contribute books for the sale, now is the time.
We have a special meeting for Friends of the Libraries scheduled for Tuesday, July 20 at 10:30 at the Mountain Regional Library to complete the planning for the Book and Bake Sale. Please come and join us; we welcome your input, your contributions, and your assistance during the August Book and Bake Sale.
If you have questions, please email John and Jan at aggie37@windstream.net or call at 706-994-0958. Thanks for your help.
Up-coming Annual Bake Sale, Jane Manuszak
FOL's annual bake sale is just around the corner! Last year's bake sale was a huge success (the best ever), thanks to all the members who contributed so many home-baked goodies. Many shoppers during the second weekend of the book sale asked about the bake sale, and we had to tell them that the bake sale only happened during the first weekend of the book sale.
This year we are going to do the bake sale both weekends of the book sale! We really need your help to provide many scrumptious goodies for one or both weekends of the sale. So mark your calendars (August 19, 20, 21, 27, and 28) and start thinking about what items you could provide. Just bring them (packaged for sale) to the library during the sale. Last year we sold cookies, brownies, breads, cakes, pies, cobblers, and some homemade candies.
We so appreciate what the FOL membership does for our local libraries, and the August Book and Bake Sale is a primary fundraiser for our organization. Please help if you can. Thank you. For questions email Jane at 1124@windstream.net or call at 706-379-3538.
From Director Donna Howell's Desk
Well, it always happens - I look forward to summer and it speeds by so fast I wonder where it went! I love summer in the mountains - great things from the garden, warm sunny days, relatively cool evenings, and lots of people enjoying the library!
We have had a few changes in staff.
The children in Towns County are enjoying new faces providing story time and special programs. Sandy Wood at TCPL and Lynn Bartlett and Sandi Vaughn at MRL have stepped into the void left by Miss Linda's retirement. They are doing a great job!
Our summer temp through the youth employment program this year is Ada Thomas. Ada has been a library user here in Towns County since before she could walk. She has been such a help to us and has done a little of everything from craft prep and helping with story time to shelving and helping at the desk - we're really going to miss her at the end of summer!
As of June 30th, Michele Carney, one of our beloved and much valued library assistants, has left us to pursue new horizons. We miss her, but she goes with our love and thanks for her 13 years of service.
Sarah Tiblis, who started as our summer temp a couple of years ago, has been promoted to full time and is doing a fine job. It has been exciting to watch her grow in her work.
Sandi Vaughn has been named branch manager for MRL. Sandi has some great ideas for library programs and services. I believe you will notice some changes for the better with her increased involvement.
And to all our great library staff, my sincere thanks for all you do every day to make our libraries work for our communities. You are the best!
Our budget year began July 1. It has been a challenge! The Board of Education cut their support for the libraries by about $23,000 for this fiscal year - it was a tough budget year for them as well. We offer our sincere thanks to Commissioner Bill Kendall for increasing the County's support for the libraries. Without his commitment to our libraries we would have been forced to close both MRL and TCPL at least one day per week. Please take a minute to thank him for his support when you have an opportunity to speak with him.
The strategic plan survey is officially over as of June 30th. Thanks to all of you who took the time to fill out a survey and give your opinions and thoughts on how to improve our libraries. We are still working on the plan with Lyn Hopper and soon we will hopefully have a blueprint for what our communities really want their libraries to be.
And finally, thanks to the Friends for your support! This past year was amazingly lean and without your contributions of volunteer hours, donations of books and cash, and support for our libraries out in the community, we would not have been able to offer the level of services to our users that they need and deserve. What a great partnership!