The Thank You pizza party for our SCFOL Volunteers was a great success and we appreciate the wonderful turn out. Those who help with the set up & take down of the Book Sales, the cashiers, stockers, and weekly book sorters, library helpers, computer trainers, artists, and speakers were all represented. So was your SCFOL Board (they are volunteers too). But being a Board Member is different from other Volunteer positions. The Friends of the Library is very important to the vitality and viability of our San Carlos Library. This branch is one of the busiest in the City of San Diego and requires the time, talent, and treasure of our wonderful community of volunteers to maintain its effectiveness.
      I would like you to consider becoming a Board Member of SCFOL. The Board meets only once a month for one hour to coordinate our varied activities such as the monthly art exhibits, programs, book sales, and to keep updated on the changes and needs of our Branch Library. This fall we plan to add Oasis programs to the mix. Board Members mostly work independently to get their jobs done. None of these positions is overwhelming and we do add laughter and a lot of love for our library to the mix. Some of the Board Members are new; some have given 25 years to the effort. By September, we will need to present the 2010-2011 Board to the Membership for your approval. We are looking for a Chair for the Oasis Program. This person will work with the Programs Board Member, Terry Gladin.  As my term is ending, we also are looking for a new Board President. I believe San Carlos puts a high value on its library, but to keep it strong and relevant to the community someone has to think, “I can do that…”and contact me at  jhmccarty@cox.net. I’m waiting to hear from you now!
                Judy McCarty
                President, SCFOL

Click here to find out how you can help!

          The San Carlos Friends of the Library has become adept at “rolling with the punches”.  Our dedicated library staff is dealing with the changes in library hours and personnel—ensuring that the library services retain the level of excellence that we all appreciate so much.  The Library’s hours have been reduced.  This has required an adjustment in the days and times of some of our programs.  Please note especially the changes in the pre-school reading program and the after school movies.  
      
Local artists, sponsored by SCFOL, will continue to exhibit their art monthly in the Library’s Community Room.  Just open the door, turn on the lights, and enjoy their beautiful works of art.  Hopefully you caught April’s “Show in Living Color”: a pairing of paintings and floral arrangements by members of the San Carlos Garden Club.  Breath takingly beautiful!  We have added a “People’s Choice Award” so you can vote on your favorite work of art each month.  After perusing the artist’s display, choose your favorite piece and cast your vote in the little ballot box.  Each month’s favorite will be on display in the main library the following month to the right of the check-out desk.  The artists look forward to your feedback.  
       
As noted in the front page article, our popular librarian, Jack Albrecht, is retiring.  Please join us in bidding him a fond farewell on Wednesday, April 28th from 5-7 pm.  This event is an excellent prelude to our April speaker, Linda Yo, who will immediately follow.  It should be a great evening, so please attend to thank Jack for his tenure at San Carlos and to hear a very informative speaker.   
       
Sue Hotz, our dedicated Newsletter Editor, would like to retire from her position in September.  I’m sure we have a future newsletter editor amongst our SCFOL members, neighbors, and friends.  We need to hear from you.  If you have an interest in this area, please contact Sue at newsletter@sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.  Remember to add May 12th to your calendar. The Friends will be hosting its annual Pizza Party for Volunteers from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.  We will also be recognizing our devoted 15 year volunteer, Jack Hayhurst who is leaving the area. If you’re not yet a volunteer, now is a good time to start.  We always need more book sorters to prepare for the book sales.  Debbie Kues makes sure everyone has a good time while they work.  If you’re interested, please stop by.  Hope to see you all soon!
                                                                      
Judy McCarty        
President, SCFOL 

Click here to find out how you can help!

If you love our library, be a Friend  . . . 

We need you … Now!

As you may remember, changes in the By-Laws of the San Diego Friends of the Library directed all San Diego Friends chapters to change to a calendar year for Friend’s memberships.  With this in mind, if you value what your San Carlos library means to your community, we are asking all of you, our current San Carlos Library Friends, to immediately renew you membership for the 2010 CALENDAR YEAR.  Fill out the membership form found under “MEMBERSHIP” and drop it off, or mail it to the San Carlos Library.  Please include your email address in order to receive reminders about the monthly used book sales and other special library events.

As the number of Friends memberships that we have indicates the level of community support for your local library, we need you to renew your membership and to encourage others to join the Friends now.
 
If you are new to our community, or have never been a member, now is the time to join the Friends of the San Carlos library!  In order to advocate effectively to the Mayor and City Council during this period of severe budget cuts, we need them to see that our community is determined to protect its assets.  As a member, you will receive information about the status of library projects and what you can do to help with their completion by sending emails and making phone calls to your City Council representatives.

Your membership dues also support the many services and programs provided by the Friends that enrich and educate our community and offer a source of enjoyment for all.  The Youth Summer Reading program, the Youth Annual Essay Contest, our monthly Used Book Sales, Community Room Artist Exhibitions, lectures and special programs, movies, and the rental book library, are all sponsored by the San Carlos Friends.  In addition, the Friends donate matching funds to the Library’s book, program and equipment funds with proceeds from our used-book sales. 
We would like to thank all of our current volunteers and contributors who make these programs and services happen.   You have added immeasurably to your community’s quality of life.  We appreciate our life members, and hope that you will continue to financially support the library. 

If you use the library, volunteer for the library, or just support the mission of the library, please join us.  Even when the city’s financial situation is resolved, we’ll need your help to resist the opening of a homeless shelter in our empty parking lot and to promote the construction of our new library there instead! 

PLEASE……If you love our library, renew your friendship.. . Encourage your neighbors & friends to become FRIENDS  too……  We need all of you … Now!

                   
                   Judy McCarty

         President, SCFOL

Click here to find out how you can help!