All programs are from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, on the 4th Wednesday of the month, in the Community Room of the San Carlos Branch Library.  See in-depth articles below for program details.  

 February 22: Ted Kornweibel, professor emeritus at SDSU, will tell us the story behind the pictures in his fascinating “coffee table” book, “Railroads in the African American Experience: a Photographic Journey.”

March 28: Margaret Dilloway, Patrick Henry High graduate tells us about her life growing up with her Japanese mother and American father in San Carlos. Inspired by her mother,“How to be an American Housewife,” is a book of fiction about a Japanese bride, Shoko, and her struggles to adapt to a new culture and become an American housewife.

ShareThis

 Please come and join us for an entertaining evening of history and learning presented by dynamic speaker and local author, Theodore Kornweibel, Jr., professor emeritus in African American history at San Diego State University. In his latest book, Railroads in the African American Experience: A Photographic Journey, he takes readers on an illustrated tour of the black railroad experience from slavery to Amtrak. With almost 200 images, he examines the significant contributions of African Americans to the building, maintenance, operation, and profitability of the American railway system. 

 The history of American railroads cannot be separated from African American history. For over a century, railroading provided the most important industrial occupation for blacks. As brakemen, firemen, porters, chefs, mechanics, and laborers–African American men and women have been essential to the daily operation and success of American railroads.

The connections between railroads and African Americans extend well beyond employment. Civil rights protests beginning in the late 19th century challenged railroad segregation and job discrimination; the major waves of black migration to the North depended almost entirely on railroads; and railroad themes and imagery penetrated deep into black art, literature, drama, folklore, and music. Kornweibel’s visual presentation of this rich history brings to life the hundreds of thousands of blacks who toiled for decades on America’s great rail systems.

Each chapter of text focuses on a different occupation or railroading experience, some peculiar to blacks. Together, the evocative images and the complementary essays supply a comprehensive and powerful survey of the social, cultural, political, and economic influence of African Americans on railroads and of railroads on the black community. 

Theodore Kornweibel, Jr., is also the author of,  Investigate Everything: Federal Efforts to Compel Black Loyalty during World War I;  Seeing Red: Federal Campaigns against Black Militancy, 1919-1925; and No Crystal Stair: Black Life and the Messenger, 1917-1928.

ShareThis

  This book of fiction was inspired by the lives of Margaret’s Japanese mother and American father of Irish-Welsh origin, who lived in the shadow of Cowles Mountain.  In the book, Shoko, the Japanese bride of an American Navy man, comes to America not knowing our language or customs.  Hers is the story of a woman struggling to become an American housewife and mother: coping in a new culture without her old support systems.

 A writer since she could wield a pencil and make coherent words, Margaret dabbled in other art forms, including a major in Studio Art at Scripps College. After college, she worked as Contributing Editor for two weekly newspapers; wrote and sold BLUETOOTH FOR DUMMIES (canceled, but used the money for LASIK so it wasn’t a total loss); and did a lot of random online writing and mystery shopping to bring in income while she watched over her three children and improved her fiction writing.

  Margaret lives in San Diego with her children and husband, a former Army Ranger (known as Cadillac on her blog).   Check out her blog: margaretdillowy.com.  Margaret has a new book which will be available in August, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns.  It is available now for pre-order  from Amizon.com. 

ShareThis

Now that the holidays have moved past us, it is time to begin to focus on some or the exciting things that will be happening at the San Carlos library in 2012.

The monthly book sales continued to be active through the holidays and the January sale was a particularly busy one.  Thanks to all the volunteers who participate in these sales.  We could not do it without your help and support.  We also thank those of you who came and purchased books or other items at the sales.  If you are interested in participating in the book sales, please let us know.  We particularly need people in the afternoon to help close down the sale and put unsold books away.

I would also like to highlight the extensive number of programs, which the Friends sponsor and support for the community.

·         ARTIST OF THE MONTH –

If you have not looked in the community room you may not be aware there is a guest artist each month that shows his/her work. Come in and see the art and then take the time to vote on your favorite piece.  There is an Artist Reception from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on the third Saturday of each month, which is a good time to meet the artist and to view their artwork. The April art display will be a joint effort between the Garden Club and local artists.  It is really a beautiful display.

·         OASIS –

The Friends coordinate with OASIS to bring interesting programs to the library.  There is a sign up sheet at the front desk.  This will assist us in knowing how many people are coming.  These are always interesting programs which fill up quickly, so sign up and come early.

·         SAN CARLOS FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY PROGRAMS -

Each month there is a special program presented by a local author or community member.  These guests bring us a unique perspective on topics in which they have a special interest.   It is a nice way to meet some of our local scholars and scribes.

·         SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMS-

The San Carlos Friends of the Library also support many of the special programs available to the library’s patrons.  They include Yoga and Meditation classes for youth and adults, theater sized screen movies and Wii gaming, computer access, Essay Contests, the Summer Reading Program, and Entertainers.  SCFOL members can rent the latest published books from national Best-Seller lists.  Come, join our monthly book club!

As you can see there is a lot going on at your library.  Thanks goes to the librarians and volunteers who bring these programs to us and make our library a busy and interesting place.  We love the support that this community gives to the San Carlos Library, and are always looking for more volunteers and Friends of the Library members.  Memberships are reasonably priced and start at $5.00.  Our numbers help to reinforce with the City Council, our ongoing need for the services that your library offers.  I’m looking forward to meeting many of you at our upcoming events.

Judy Williams

SCFOL, President

ShareThis

Click here for more information

ShareThis

In 2012, this activity will be held on the 2nd  Saturday of every month from 9:30-10:30 am and on the 4th Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. 

Check out www.DrFunshine.com for more information.

ShareThis

These titles can be rented by dues-paying members only for just $0.25 per day. Books are located in a freestanding bookcase just inside the security gate by the library’s left door. These are the newest additions to the collection.  After a time, the books will be donated to the San Carlos Library general book collection, courtesy of SCFOL.

 January, 2012

   November, 2011

Bohjalian, Chris                 The Night Strangers
 Brown, Sandra                  Lethal
 Casey, Jane                       The Burning
 Child, Lee                          The Affair
 Coulter, Catherine           Split Second
 Crawford, Dean                Covenant
 Jordan, Hillary                 When She Woke
 Morgenstern, Erin           The Night Circus
 Taylor, Natalie                 Signs of Life     

OCTOBER, 2011

Barclay, Linwood              The Accident
Carver, Tania                    The Surrogate
Cohen, Leah Hager          The Grief of Others
Costello, Matthew           Vacation
Lippman, Laura               The Most Dangerous Thing
Mina, Denise                   The End of the Wasp Season
Tucker, Lisa                     The Winters in Bloom
Unger, Lisa                      Darkness, My Old Friend
White, Kate                     The Sixes    

August, 2011 

  Abbott, Jeff                        Adrenaline

 Delinsky, Barbara              Escape 

Gerritsen, Tess                   The Silent Girl

 Gross, Andrew                  Eyes Wide Open

 Hillier, Jennifer                   Creep

 Kepler, Lars                         The Hypnotist

 Moore, Meg Mitchell        The Arrivals

 Patchett, Ann                     State of Wonder

 Reichs, Kathy                     FLash and Bones

Schulman, Helen               This Beautiful Life

See, Lisa                              Dreams of Joy

Spindler, Erica                    Watch Me Die

         MARCH , 2011              

Dubus, III, Adre          Townie

Fielding, Joy                Now You See Her

 Hayder, Mo                 Gone

 Marklund, Liza           Red Wolf

 Meister, Ellen            The Other Life      

 Picoult, Jodi         Sing You Home                     

 Preston & Child         Gideon’s Sword  

 Winslow, Don            Satori     

                APRIL, 2011

Edwards, Kim            The Lake of Dreams

 Ephron, Hallie            Come and FInd Me

 Fairstein, Linda          Silent Mercy

Gardner, Lisa              Love You More

 Henry, Sara J.            Learning to Swim

 Unger, Lisa                Fragile

 McLain, Paula           The Paris Wife

                MAY, 2011

Grippando, James           Afraid of the Dark

 Hannah, Kristin             Night Road

 Jackson, Lisa                  Devious

 Kellerman, Jonathan     Mystery

Strieber, Whitley          Hybrids

           JUNE, 2011

Baldacci, David           The Sixth Man

Berg, Elizabeth    Once Upon a Time, There Was You

Fowler, Therese          Exposure

Johansen, Iris            Eve

McArdle, Patricia      Farishta

See, Lisa                      Dreams of Joy

Stevens, Taylor          The Informationist

Strobel, Lee               The Ambition

            JULY, 2011

Burke, Alafair              Long Gone

Hegi, Ursula               Children and Fire

Kane, Andrea     The Girl Who Disappeared Twice

Lackberg, Camilla       The Preacher

Patterson, James       10th Anniversary

Starr. Jason                The Pack

Slaughter, Karin        Fallen

Stevens, Chevy          Never Knowing

Watson, S.J.             Before I Go to Sleep

ShareThis

Joseph J. and Kathleen Wavra for their Patron level membership.  They are our newest Life Members.  Thank You!

Lindsay Hill for her Sponsor level membership.

Rita Redlinger for her Sponsor level membership.

Robert & Linda Gillett for their Sponsor level  membership.

Barbara Lynch, the Karemaa Family, Vera Jones, and Leroy Judkins for their additional support.

The Joe & Lesley Frazier family for their donation in memory of Don Nicholson.

Lois Rutherford for joining the Friends at the sponsor membership level.

Judy McCarty for her Life Membership in memory of Vivian Ellis Howard.

Donald Funderburk for his family membership and special donation.

Katherine & Carl Shaffer in honor of the marriage of Cynthia Fisher & Ronald Rowe.

Harry & Kaneko Bishop for their Sponsor level Membership.

An anonymous donor in honor of Dr. Funshine (yoga instructor at the library).

Special donation from Lloyd & Rita Morris.

Artist Nora Clemens following her successful art show.

Mr. Bill Cooper for his donation in memory of his mother, Opal Cooper.

Margarette Carr for her Lifetime Membership.

Brian McDonald for his Lifetime Membership.

Donald Funderburk for his Contributor Level Membership.

Loraine Rozzen in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Looney.

Sella Spellman for her special donation.

The Millennium Investment Club (and we wish them good luck with their investments).

Tova Galgut following her successful art show at the library.

Lloyd Morris for his special donation.

We congratulate Jean Waters on her successful Art Exhibit and thank her for her donation to the friends.

The North University Community Chapter of the Friends of the Library for their appreciative support of SCFOL.

Artist Mildred Spiller for her contribution to the Friends.

Artist Frances Peck for her contribution to the Friends.

Donald Funderburk for his special donation.

Della Martin in memory of Robert Martin.

Sally White from the sale of her artwork in December.

Barbara F. Tracy in honor of Nancy A. Spector.

The very generous gift from the estate of the Lois Dissinger presented to SCFOL by her son, Steve Dissinger.

The Millenium Investment Club:Rhonda, Pat, Marilyn, Vicky, Suzie, Jacquline & Kathy.

Danny Yelvington in honor of the Yelvingtons.

Mrs Lorraine Rozzen in honor of Beatrice Polsky.

Don and Ramona Bush in memory of Jack & Carolyn Winer.

Joyce Wright.

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Anderson.

Lorraine Rozzen, in memory of her sister, Jacqueline Freudman.

Florence Fisher in memory of Jack Fisher.

Carleen Hemric in memory of Jack & Carolyn Winer.

The San Carlos Area Council.

ShareThis

ShareThis

PAPERBACKS are 3/$1.00.  Most HARDBACKS are $1.00 each.  Ask about our SPECIAL EDITION and COLLECTOR’S BOOKS available at greatly reduced prices (see below).

WE HAVE LOTS OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS.  EVERY MONTH,  45% OF OUR AVAILABLE BOOKS ARE NEW TITLES.

NEW:  Cowboy Bob will be entertaining us at 10:00 a.m., in the Children’s area of the library on Used Book Sale Saturdays.

We would like to thank all of the patrons of our Monthly Used Book Sale.  Now, on sale for during the book sales, we have available for your shopping pleasure and to carry home your treasures, bigger, new and improved, better bottomed cloth book bags ($3).  We also have SCFOL coffee mugs ($5), and gold ornaments ($10) depicting the new downtown library.  Ask about them.

We can always use volunteers to help sort books during the month, to stock the tables before and during the book sales, and to put away the unsold ones following the sales.  These activities require about 200 volunteer hours per month.  If you would like to help, please leave a note for Debbie Kues or Orlie Baird at the library or email Jim Shields at zetenue@cox.net.

Its never too late to join a book club.   Our library manager has started a Librarian’s Book Club at the San Carlos Library.  It will meet at 1 pm on the 2nd Thursday of the month.  Members will choose the books to be read.  Titles are listed under “Hot Topics” on this website.

ShareThis