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Friday, November 8, 2019

November-December 2019 Newsletter



NEWS FROM THE BRANCH


Upcoming programs

Meals at the Library
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm - 5pm
Healthy, free after-school meals to kids and teens. By satisfying hunger we put the focus back on reading and learning. Provided for free to all children 18 years and younger.

Bilingual Storytime: Russian/English
Thursdays, 10:30am – 11:00am
Talk, sing, read, write, and play with us. Enjoy 30 minutes of fun songs, rhymes, stories and movement in English and Russian. Designed for ages 0-5. Siblings are welcome to attend.

Social Gaming
Wednesdays, November 27 and December 4, Noon to 2:00pm Join us on first and fourth Wednesdays of each month for our social gaming program for adults! We'll provide the games and refreshments; you bring the conversation and the fun. Games available for play will include: Scrabble, Dominoes, Clue, Poker, Trivial Pursuit, and more! You can  bet on a good time!

English Conversation Group
Thursdays, November 14 and 21, December 19, 5:45pm - 6:45pm Practice speaking English in a friendly, small group led by a trained facilitator. Discussion topics include everyday life, news, local things to do, and more. All levels are welcome and no registration is needed.

T-Shirt Bag Craft
Wednesday, November 13, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Repurpose an old T-shirt into a stylish bag! Join us for an evening of crafting for adults. 

Game Night
Fridays, November 22 and December 27, 3:30pm – 4:45pm Come play! Bring a friend and enjoy card games, Wii, and board games at the library! Snacks will be provided.

Read to a Dog
Mondays, November 25 and December 30, 3:30pm – 4:30pm Children ages 5 through 12 can read aloud to one of four friendly therapy-trained dogs, accompanied by their trained adult volunteers. Readers will earn a book after completing three Read to a Dog  sessions.

Book Clubs
Classics: Saturdays, November 9 and December 14, 1pm
Mystery: Saturdays, November 16 and December 21, 10:30am 
Best Sellers: Saturdays, November 23 and December 28, 10:30am

Pop-Up Book Sale
Thursday, December 5, 10am-4pm
The Friends of the North Highlands-Antelope Library are hosting a one day book sale in the front patio of the library. Support your local library and pick up some great reads! All proceeds from the sale benefit library programs and new materials.

Upcoming Library Closures:
Monday, November 11 (Veteran's Day)
Thursday and Friday, November 28-29 (Thanksgiving)
Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24-25 (Christmas)
Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day)

Early Closures:
Wednesday, November 27 (@ 6pm)
Tuesday, December 31 (@ 5pm)



—Kristi Powell, Branch Supervisor


LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Are you a passionate supporter of your library? Do you want to make a difference? Have you recently retired, and in search of ways to contribute to your community? YOU are just who we are seeking! The North Highlands-Antelope Friends of the Library needs new leadership to work with our Board and library staff. Send a note indicating your interest to NhAntelope.friends@gmail.com. A member of the nominating committee would love to talk to you.


BOOK SALE UPDATE
Our next Pop-Up book sale is set for Thursday, December 5 from 10-4. We can use a few volunteers to help set up, assist customers and break down the sale. You can get more information from Charlyne Nichols, charlynenichols@yahoo.com. 

We just concluded a successful three day sale, November 1-3. We made about $1200 for the library and cleared out a lot of inventory. Thanks to our great volunteers, Debby Karaman, Karen  Sanders, Charlyne Nichols, Gayle and Ed Fishkin, Nancy and Jerry Matlin, Dave and Michelle Weeks, Stefanie Buckmaster, Hanne Robinson, Carolyn Brown, Patricia Northrup and Sarah Brown. A special  thanks to our teen volunteers and Americorps volunteers, who were a huge help during our bag sale on Sunday, Nov. 3. 

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Lynette Drake
Warnessa Wilcox-Caballer
Tash Hostetter
Susan Wilson

We couldn’t do it without you!



VOLUNTEER OPENINGS FOR BOOK FIRST
After a record fund-raising campaign during Sacramento’s Big Day of Giving, Sacramento Public Library and Friends of the Sacramento Public Library are gearing up for book distributions to first-graders in schools throughout the county. North Highlands-Antelope area has many, many schools included in 2020 Book First.

In January, we will begin distributing free books to first-grade students in the area served by our library. Since we have nearly 20 schools that we will be visiting in 2020, we can always use new volunteers to accompany our youth services librarian, Denise Lee, and assist in the classroom. Contact us at NhAntelope.friends@gmail.com for more information or to get on the list for school visits. 


NEW BOOK SALE STRATEGY APPROVED AT FALL MEETING

The North Highlands-Antelope Friends held their third quarterly meeting October 16 to check on progress and update goals for 2020.  Generally, this has been a good year. Foyer sales have exceeded budget, but that may be due to Sylvan’s closure during their remodeling. Our three-day sales came in at or above budget and Amazon sales have picked up during the second part of the year. 

For 2020, the goal is to make more efficient use of our volunteer base. The November book sale was the last 3-day sale. In 2020 the quarterly (“big”) book sales will be changed back to 2-day events, on Saturday and Sunday. Dates are:
  • February 8-9, 2020
  • August 8-9, 2020
  • November 7-8, 2020

Pop-Up (1-day) book sales will take place in outside entryway on the following Thursdays:
  • December 5, 2019
  • March 5, 2020
  • June 4, 2020
  • September 3, 2020


$2,080 funding requests approved, including:
  • $750 for Lucky Day materials
  • $1,230 for programs and supplies
  • $100 to purchase earbuds or USB drives for re-sale (a popular request at the library’s desk)


We will hold our fifth annual tea on Sunday, April 26, the week before Mother’s Day.



VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you don’t really want to join the Board, but have a couple hours available to serve your community, you can volunteer with the North Highlands-Antelope Friends of the Library. We really need your help to continue operating our book sorting, sales, and other fundraising events!!!  Contact us at NhAntelope.friends@gmail.com.


FSPL NEWS YOU CAN USE
  • The Friends’ website, https://saclibfriends.org, has a wealth of information for Friends members, from Book First to what’s going on at each of the 28 branch library Friends’ organizations, including book and bag sales. You can renew your membership, donate, or volunteer.
  • The Friends of Sacramento Public Library is interested in recruiting two new Board members for 2020-2021 terms. The Board oversees all 28 branch Friends' organizations, and coordinates directly with Library Director, Rivkah Sass, and her staff. Special skills in critical need: finance, fundraising, and communication. Contact Karen Lindh (Karen.lindh@icloud.com) for more information or to submit a resume.

“A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead” 
― Caitlin Moran

North Highlands-Antelope Friends of Sacramento Public Library
Newsletter editor: Karen Lindh, Vice President


Tuesday, September 10, 2019

August-September 2019 Newsletter


North Highlands-Antelope Friends of the Library Newsletter


NEWS FROM THE BRANCH


Upcoming programs

Bilingual Storytime: Russian/English
Thursdays, 10:30am – 11:00am
Talk, sing, read, write, and play with us. Enjoy 30 minutes of fun songs, rhymes, stories and movement in English and Russian. Designed for ages 0-5. Siblings are welcome to attend.

WonderLab
Wednesdays, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
September 4, 11, and 18; October 2 and 9; November 6, 13, and 20
Explore the world and play! Experiment at our open art/science/tech lab. A different process or concept presented every week! This month will include bridge building/engineering, Makey Makey projects, postcards, and more. All ages welcome. All supplies provided—while supplies last. We ask that children under 10 be accompanied by an adult.

Social Gaming
Wednesdays, Noon to 2:00pm
September 4 and 25; October 2 and 23; November 6 and 27
Join us on first and fourth Wednesdays of each month for our gaming and social program for adults! We'll provide the games and refreshments; you bring the conversation and the fun. Games available for play will include: Scrabble, Dominoes, Clue, Poker, Trivial Pursuit, and more! You can bet on a good time!

Job Coach
Thursdays, 11:00am - 1:00pm
September 5 and 19; October 3 and 17; November 7 and 21
Looking for a job? Need help? Meet one-on-one with a trained job coach who will help you spruce up your resume, learn job searching techniques, practice interviewing skills, get an email address, and more! Participants are encouraged to sign up for a 30 minute time slot at the library circulation desk.

English Conversation Group
Saturdays, 2:30pm – 4:00pm
September 7 and 21; October 5 and 19; November 9 and 23
Practice speaking English in a friendly, small group led by a trained facilitator. Discussion topics include everyday life, news, local things to do, and more. All levels are welcome and no registration is needed.

Uncle Jer’s Traveling Bee Show
September 12, Thursday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Celebrate National Honey Month and learn all about how bees live, work, and benefit us in this amazing educational and interactive program. We will see live bees in observation hives and, perhaps, find the queen bee! Free admission.

Homework Zone
Starting September 19, Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
Drop-in homework help is available every Thursday from 3:30-5:30 pm. A volunteer homework coach will be available to assist students in grades K-8 with homework assignments.

Monday Movie Matinee
Mondays, 1:30pm
September 23, October 28, and November 25
Enjoy a free screening of classic films. Bring a friend or make a new one! Fresh popcorn will be provided. Every fourth Monday of the month.

Minecraft
Tuesdays, 1:30pm
September 24, October 29, and November 26
Enjoy playing Minecraft? Never played, but always wanted to? Come join us at the North Highlands-Antelope library for an afternoon of Minecraft! Each player will have their own computer to build and show off their wondrous creations. Kids and teens are welcome.

Game Night
Fridays, 3:30pm – 4:45pm
September 27, October 25 and November 22
Come play! Bring a friend and enjoy card games, Wii, and board games at the library! Snacks will be provided. All ages welcome.

Nature’s Critters
October 3, Thursday, 4:00 – 5:00pm
See live animals, some small and furry, who are better adapted to cooler weather in this Fall/Winter edition of Nature's Critters. Free admission.

No Sew Pumpkin Craft
October 8, Tuesday, 5:00 – 6:30pm
In need of an autumn decoration? Join us in making cute stuffed pumpkins. Our no sew pumpkins will be made from repurposed long sleeve shirts, jute and decorative items.  Materials will be provided. Registration is required.

Friends of the Library Meeting
October 16, Wednesday, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Support your library by attending the quarterly Friends of the North Highlands-Antelope Library meeting. Open to the public, newcomers welcome!

Haunted Library
October 26, Saturday, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Take a tour of our spooky haunted library in an annual event hosted by the Teen Advisory Board!

Monday Movie Matinee
Monday, 1:30pm
September 23, October 28, and November 25
Enjoy a free screening of classic films. Bring a friend or make a new one! Fresh popcorn will be provided. Every fourth Monday of the month.

—Kristi Powell, Branch Supervisor


FRIENDS’ BOOK BAGS ON SALE

We have acquired Friends of the Library book bags, which we will be selling at the book sale and/or providing as a bonus to new members. So, stop by during the book sale and show your support for our library by purchasing a great book bag. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Have a couple hours available to serve your community? Volunteer with the North Highlands-Antelope Friends of the Library. We really need your help to continue operating our book sorting, sales, and other fundraising events!!! Our volunteer ranks have thinned of late, and all the wonderful branch programs that are currently offered to the community will suffer without you. Contact Karen Lindh at karen.lindh@icloud.com for more information.







UPCOMING BOOK SALES

We have been experimenting with one day sales, frequently referred to as pop-up sales, and the next one is scheduled Wednesday, September 25 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, in front of the library. Our donations have been plentiful (thank you community!), but our storage is limited so the one day sale helps us to keep our inventory in check. So tell all your friends and neighbors and stop by for a browse and a chat on September 25. We have hundreds of great DVDs and audiobooks in addition to books.

Our next three day sale will be Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3. We will once again switch to the bag sale format on Sunday, which has been very popular with community members and library patrons alike. We need volunteers to staff both these sales. Contact Charlyne Nichols at charlyenichols@yahoo.com.

If the pop-up sales continue to be popular, we may reduce the number of three day sales, which are a huge undertaking for our limited volunteer force.

So mark your calendars now, buy some great books and support our North Highlands-Antelope Library. Proceeds fund the Lucky Day book collection, and the programs referenced by Kristi (above article). 


BOOK FIRST RETURNS FOR THE 2020 SCHOOL YEAR

After a record fund-raising campaign during Sacramento’s Big Day of Giving in May, the Sacramento Public Library and the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library are gearing up for book distributions to first-graders in schools throughout the county. North Highlands-Antelope area schools were particularly blessed, with many, many schools involved.

Book sorting parties are being arranged at four library locations this year:
Sunday, November 3, 2019 Rancho Cordova Library
Friday, November 8, 2019 North Natomas Library
Friday, November 15, 2019 Valley Hi Library
Monday, November 18, 2019 North Highlands-Antelope

If you are interested in participating in one of these sorting parties, please contact Ellen McCaslin at mccaslinellen@gmail.com to register for the date of your choice. A maximum of 30 volunteers per session will apply, so register early.


FALL MEETING SET

The North Highlands-Antelope Friends will be meeting on Wednesday, October 16 at 11:00 am in the community room. A sandwich tray will be provided, and members are asked to provide a side, drink or dessert to share.

At the meeting, Branch Supervisor Kristi Powell will let us know what is in store for our branch for the upcoming quarter. Staff will propose programs and events for our branch for the fall and winter months. One idea currently under consideration is to repeat the popular adult art classes that were held the last two years. Friends will vote on all funding requests. 

We have purchased Friends of the Library book bags, which we will be selling at the book sale and providing as a bonus to new members. So, you can show your support for the library by purchasing a great book bag at the meeting.

So please come to the meeting, and make your voice heard as we establish our goals and work plan for the last six months of the year. RSVP to: nhantelope.friends@gmail.com.
  • FSPL NEWS YOU CAN USE
    • The Friends’ new Foundation, called Friends Investing in Sacramento Public Library is gearing up to begin operations by the fall. We are currently waiting for the IRS to issue its approval letter for our new Foundation, which is now expected after the first of the year. The goal of this organization is to provide an avenue for members of the community to leave a legacy for Sacramento Public Library or their local branch library, if that is their wish. Friends Investing in Sacramento Public Library will invest the money and assure that earnings from the account are allocated in the appropriate manner. Currently, there is no good way to leave money to SPL or a specific branch, so the new organization will fill that void.
    • Friends of the Library week begins on October 20 and you will be invited to a special membership appreciation event at The Book Den, celebrating all our great Friends. Mark your calendar now for Sunday, October 20 between 1:00 pm and 4:00! Extra discounts will apply to the already low, low prices.
    • The Friends’ website, https://saclibfriends.org, has a wealth of information for Friends members, from Book First to what’s going on at each of the 28 branch library Friends’ organizations, including book and bag sales. You can renew your membership, donate, or volunteer.
    Karen Lindh and Denise Watts, FSPL's Girl Friday at Carmichael Library
    • At the September All Friends meeting, held at Carmichael branch, lots of great information was shared by the branch leaders of the Friends groups across the county. Karen L from the North Highlands-Antelope Friends was there to share our news and programs.  












“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” 

― Maya Angelou







North Highlands-Antelope Friends of Sacramento Public Library
Newsletter editor: Karen Lindh, Vice President


Monday, July 15, 2019

July-August 2019

North Highlands-Antelope Friends of the Library Newsletter


NEWS FROM THE BRANCH

For details and up-to-date information on all North Highlands-Antelope Library programs, please consult our website at: http://saclibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar

Summer Reading ends August 15. It’s not too late to sign up.

1. Building Updates: 
- Just installed: a key card access door behind the Circulation Desk, between the main library and staff work areas. This is a much needed security upgrade for the library, and will help keep the work area for staff and volunteers much safer and quieter.
- Coming soon: a new PA system for informational and emergency announcements that can be heard throughout the library. The hardware has been purchased, we are waiting on a scheduled date for installation.
- Some areas of the parking lot need to be re-done to meet ADA compliance. Work is tentatively scheduled to start in the fall.

2. Voting 2020: The library will be a 4-day voting center again for both the primary (Feb. 29-Mar. 3) and general (Oct. 31-Nov. 3) elections next year.  

3. Upcoming programs: 

Bilingual Storytime: Russian/English
Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00AM
Talk, sing, read, write, and play with us. Enjoy 30 minutes of fun songs, rhymes, stories and movement in English and Russian. Designed for ages 0-5. Siblings are welcome to attend.

Lunch at the Library
Mondays-Fridays, Noon – 2:00PM, through August 2
Fuel your summer! Eat, play, and learn at the North Highlands-Antelope library. This program will provide free lunch to children and teens during the summer. No paperwork, no questions, no cost.

Minecraft
July 16, August 20, September 24, Tuesday, 4:00 – 5:30PM
Enjoy playing Minecraft? Never played, but always wanted to? Come join us at the North Highlands-Antelope library for an afternoon of Minecraft! Each player will have their own computer to build and show off their wondrous creations. Kids and teens are welcome.

Summer Reading Party and Book Swap
July 18, Thursday, 4:00PM
Kids can join us for pizza and refreshments at our annual summer reading party.  Bring a gently-used book, which you have already read and trade it for another book to read.  Parent and teen volunteers are welcome.  Free admission.

Job Coaching
Thursdays, July 18, August 1 & 15, September 5 & 19, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Looking for a job? Need help? Meet one-on-one with a trained job coach who will help you spruce up your resume, learn job searching techniques, practice interviewing skills, get an email address, and more! Participants are encouraged to sign up for a 30 minute time slot at the library circulation desk. 

English Conversation Group
July 20, August 3, September 7 & 21, Saturday, 2:30PM – 4:00PM
Practice speaking English in a friendly, small group led by a trained facilitator. Discussion topics include everyday life, news, local things to do, and more. All levels are welcome and no registration is needed.

Monday Movie Matinee
August 26 & September 23, Monday, 1:30pm 
Enjoy a free screening of classic films. Bring a friend or make a new one! Fresh popped popcorn will be provided. Every fourth Monday of the month.

Social Gaming
July 23, August 7 & 28, September 4 & 25, Wednesday, Noon to 2:00pm
Join us on first and fourth Wednesdays of each month for our gaming and social program for adults! We'll provide the games and refreshments; you bring the conversation and the fun. Games available for play will include: Scrabble, Dominoes, Clue, Poker, Trivial Pursuit, and more! You can bet on a good time!

And in other news, Sylvan Oaks library will have a soft open on Monday, July 15 and a grand re-opening on August 3. Stop by and check out the changes.

—Kristi Powell, Branch Supervisor



SUMMER MEETING SET FOR JULY 17
The North Highlands-Antelope Friends will be meeting on Wednesday, July 17 at 6:00 pm in the community room. This is the best meeting of the year, our dinner meeting with El Pollo Loco entree and sides, so RSVP today. Members are asked to provide a side, drink or dessert to share.

At the meeting, Branch Supervisor Kristi Powell will let us know what is in store for our branch for the upcoming quarter. Staff will propose programs and events for our branch for the fall and winter months. One idea currently under consideration is to repeat the popular adult art classes that were held for the last two years. Friends will vote on all the funding requests. 

We will plan our summer book sale, August 9-11, and will also discuss another pop-up book sale, which proved to be popular in June. We will vote on acquiring Friends of Sacramento Public Library tote bags for our bag sale, and any additional supplies needed for the Friends’ room. Finally, we will make a decision on whether to change the meeting date from Wednesday to evenings or Saturday, to accommodate working adults and teen volunteers.

So please come to the meeting, and make your voice heard as we establish our goals and workplan for the last six months of the year. RSVP to: nhantelope.friends@gmail.com.



SUMMER BOOK SALE AUGUST 9-11
Our popular three day sale kicks off Friday, August 9 at 11:00 am in the library’s Community Room. Over 20 tables with fiction and nonfiction, children and teen books, home schooling materials, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. Saturday hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sunday bag sale is noon to 3:00 pm. Get there early for best selection and bring your bag on Sunday at noon and fill your bag for $5. Only books are offered during bag sale, DVDs not included.

And we are looking for volunteers who might be willing to assist with the sale for two to three hours over the three day sale. Contact Charlyne Nichols at charlynenichols@yahoo.com or contact the North Highlands-Antelope Friends at nhantelope.friends@gmail.com.

Our first pop-up sale, in June, was a great success. We earned about $500 for the one day sale, which will allow the library to add to their current wish list.


VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Looking for a volunteer with a smart phone to scan donated books for possible sale on Amazon. Ideally, one hour per week, but one hour every other week would be acceptable. Day and time of volunteer’s choosing. Training provided.


THE BOOK DEN NOMINATED BY SACRAMENTO NEWS AND REVIEW
To vote for the Book Den as Best Place to Stock Your Bookshelves, go to this link: https://bestofsac.com/. Choose vote and then Arts and Entertainment. Scroll down nearly to the bottom. Only 27 days remain, so get your vote in and ask your friends to vote, too. And if you haven’t visited the Friends’ used book store, The Book Den is located at 8250 Belvedere Road, Sacramento, off Power Inn Road. This is a great book store, with nearly everything $2 or less. And show your Friends of the Library membership card, and get a 20% discount!!! At the beginning of the month, not only the store is open, but the enormous warehouse is open for business with a $6/bag sale. If you need a title in your favorite book series, or just want to pick up a summer read for you or your kids, stop on by The Book Den. It is a hidden jewel in our community.


FSPL NEWS YOU CAN USE

Karen and Deb represented North Highlands-Antelope 
  • At the June All Friends meeting at the Belle Cooledge branch, nineteen branches (out of 38) participated, with lots of great information shared by the branch leaders of the Friends groups. New financial reporting requirements were discussed, branches discussed successes and challenges, and library namesake Belle Cooledge was honored, with a photo booth featuring many of her beloved hats.The next All Friends meeting is scheduled for  Saturday, September 8 at the Carmichael branch library. The meeting is from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. This is a great way to share information among the branches and learn some new tips and tricks.


  • Friends of the Library week begins on October 20 and you will be invited to a special membership appreciation event at The Book Den, celebrating all our great Friends. Mark your calendar now for Sunday, October 20!
  • The Friends’ website, https://saclibfriends.org, has a wealth of information for Friends members, from Book First to what’s going on at each of the 28 branch library Friends’ organizations, including book and bag sales. You can renew your membership, donate, volunteer, or follow the link to vote for The Book Den as best bookstore in Sacramento. There is also a private page for branch Friends, which allows access to all kinds of important documents, including the bylaws and Policies and Procedures manual.


“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent  library.” 
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice