Friends January 2008 Newsletter
CARNEGIE SAYS….
January 2008 News from the Friends of the SouthShore Library Vol. 2, No.1.
SouthShore Regional Library
15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin FL 33570
(813) 273-3652 Menu option 2
Mon. -Thu. 10:00-9:00, Fri. 10:00-6:00 Sat. 10:00-5:00, Sun. 12:30-5:00
ANNUAL MEETING ANNOUNCED: The 2008 annual Meeting of the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, January 30. The Agenda will include the Election of Officers to lead the Friends in 2008. The Nominating Committee has proposed the following slate, but nominations will be accepted from the floor. Proposed officers are:
President - Frances Hereford
Vice Pres. - Jim Duffy
Secretary - Joann Duffy
Treasurer - Gail Danne
Director - Fred Jacobsen
Director - Joan Shalleck
Director - Diane Waronka
Director - Jack Fischer
Director - Mimi & Tom Rose
Director - Linda & John Bowker
In addition, there will be a review of the Friends activities in 2007 and the plans for 2008. Member input will be invited. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.
WERE YOU THERE? On November 9, the Friends held an invitation-only Anniversary party to celebrate the First Year of the Library. It was a great time. The Book of Charter Members was unveiled. A Special Plaque was displayed of the Charter Life Members, Charter Non-Profit organizations and Charter Corporate Sponsors. These are on permanent display at the Library.
President Jim Duffy reviewed the activities in 2007, including the fact that the Friends econtributed $12,500 in 2007 to the Library to fund free programs.OPEN HOUSE: An Open House for Everyone at a facility that is open seven days a week? Yes, the Friends did that, too. A Student Art Contest lead by Joan Shalleck, was followed by Harry Potter Trivia Contests monitored by Diane Waronka. The Front Porch Pickers and Emanuel Escadero entertained. In addition, Fred Jacobsen, Mac Miller & Mark Dunn told of the history of Ruskin and our surrounding area. And Leah was seen teaching cartooning to the children. It was a great day, and a great time to celebrate and honor South County's new Cultural Center - the SouthShore Regional Library..
BOOK SALES: Activity in the Books Sale Room remains high. This is the major source of income that the Friends have to help support the Library. In addition to daily sales, there have been quarterly Big Sales. These feature “A Bag of Books for a Buck", and a special sale of Premium Books. The next Big Sale is scheduled for March 1, 2008. Here is your chance to get some great books at a great bargain.
The Book Sales Room has been rearranged to increase shelf-space by 30%. Our special thanks to the Bowkers and the Brombergers for making this all happen
BE A PART OF THE PLANNING: The Friend's Membership Meetings will be held on January 30 (the Annual Meeting) but we also [lan to have quarterly meetings on April 30, July 30 and October 29 at 3:00PM in the Library. Plan to join in the fun!
STUDENT ART CARDS: One of the many activities at the November 10th Open House was the First Annual Student Art contest. Joan Shalleck has selected some of the outstanding dyudrnt creations and had them turned into Greeting Cards. They are on display and are for sale at the Library. Eight different designs for $10. The money will help promote Student Art and help the Friends help the Library.HAVE YOU RENEWED? If not, please do so. A significant source of income for The Friends of SouthShore Regional Library is membership dues.
The Membership fees for 2008 are:
Students K - 12 $ 5.00Individuals $10.00
Families, Clubs, Associations & Small Businesses $25.00
Supporting Member $50.00
Patrons $100.00
Life Membershipers $750.00
Large Corporations 1,000.00
Feel free to upgrade your membership class. Make your check payable to: "Friends of the Library" and mail it to: Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin FL 33573-4903
ARE YOU ON THE E-MAIL LIST? Keep up-to-date by sending your E-mail address to jduffy1@tampabay.rr.com. This will help keep you informed of all the great Friends happenings.
Spotlight on TEENS: SouthShore Regional Library has just embarked upon an ambitious effort to get teens into the library. Beginning in September, the Library implemented the GamingZone program.The program consists of three PlayStation 2 gaming machines, each hooked into a projector in the community room. Teens have the opportunity to play these games or use the Internet. The most popular game in the room is Dance Dance Revolution where teens use their feet to stomp on a pad in rhythm to the music on the screen. The GamingZone activity has been a big hit and between 35 to 50 teens participate every program night.
The GamingZone program has been a catalyst to the new Teen Advisory Board, which started in November, and allows teens to give input on what books, games, and music the library buys for Teens. They are also able to earn community service hours toward graduation and scholarships. These teens will also help in the various children, art, and adult programs offered at SouthShore Regional Library in the future.
The Library is hopeful that with the Teen Advisory Board, the teens will feel their voice is being heard at the library and will participate more in library programs and services.
According to Bill Harris, library staff member, "the GamingZone is now offered on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month and the Teen Advisory Board is held monthly on the 1st and 3rd Monday."