JULY-AUGUST 2020
FRIENDS OF NORTH HIGHLANDS-ANTELOPE LIBRARY
NEWS & UPDATES
Friends on Facebook - The Friends of the North Highlands-Antelope Library now has an official Facebook page. If you are on Facebook, please visit often, “Like” for updates, and share! Information about Friends membership, fundraisers, other and library programs will be posted on a regular basis, when things return to normal.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
There has long been a certain amount of confusion about the roles and responsibilities of the Sacramento Public Library, the Friends of Sacramento Public Library and Sacramento Public Library Foundation. Recently there has been a legal tussle between SPL and the Foundation, which has been reported in The Sacrament Bee and other media outlets, and we want to make sure you understand what the issues are. Library Director Rivkah Sass has penned an expiation of the issues, which I have copied below. The dispute does not affect Friends of Sacramento Public Library or any of the branch Friends groups.
|
From the Director's Desk
I will admit that I feel very protective about Sacramento Public Library and what our institution means to the community. After all, we have been serving the Sacramento region since 1857. In the nearly eleven years that I’ve been Library Director, the Library has grown and changed to meet community needs, and has developed a national reputation for excellence. Our staff, Board of Directors, and the community take pride in our work and how we contribute to the quality of life in our region.
This is why we were so dismayed to learn last summer that the Sacramento Public Library Foundation, an organization that was originally incorporated to support Sacramento Public Library, filed a trademark application with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Organization for ownership of the name “Sacramento Public Library Foundation” without advising the Sacramento Public Library. This action, taken on June 7, 2019, came on the heels of the Foundation unilaterally terminating its operating agreement with the Library in 2015 and revising its bylaws in 2017 so that it could officially provide funding and other support to organizations other than the Sacramento Public Library.
The Foundation changed its priorities years ago and we support its right to do so. What the Library does not and cannot support is fundraising done using our name that does not benefit our organization – the Sacramento Public Library.
Names mean something, and it is important that donors who want to support the mission, vision, programs and services of Sacramento Public Library know that the Library is doing all it can to serve our community while protecting our good name. On March 31, we took action to ensure that our name is used as it should be.
|
WHAT’S NEW FOR SACRAMENTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
5 Things to Know
In case you missed it, here's a round-up of what's new at the library.
- Curbside pickup by appointment now available at 24 locations. North Highlands-Antelope is one of these locations.
- Sacramento Public Library partners with Sacramento County Office of Education to host early learning workshops.
- Mobile services are back on the road.
- Library staff lend community support during pandemic.
- Orangevale Library expansion to begin next month.
BIG DAY OF GIVING/BOOK FIRST
The Friends of Sacramento Public Library had a banner day during the region’s 2020 Big Day of Giving campaign on May 7. Friends collected $81,000, which is dedicated to the Book First campaign. This will serve 13,500 children in 575 classrooms throughout Sacramento County.
Library staff is working to structure Book First for 2020-21. Up until this year, a branch librarian, accompanied by a branch member of the Friends, would visit each eligible school nearby, familiarizing first graders with all the benefits of the library and letting students pick a free book.
This year, book distributions will likely occur later in the school year. There may be more virtual presentations, or tables set up outside or limited classroom visits, or some combination of techniques that meet the need of the school and library staff. But, don’t worry, each first grader will still get to select a free book to take home.
Additionally, there were a few schools where book distribution was interrupted when the Governor announced stay at home orders. The students impacted, now second graders, will still get a book, just a little late.
Field trips of first graders to the library will not occur this year, but hopefully, we will be able to include more classes next year.
Another complication will be the book sorting sessions. Last fall, there were over 30 volunteers who came to North Highlands-Antelope library for a book sorting session, one of four. This year, it appears we will have to have many more sessions, with much fewer volunteers at each. Stay tuned for more info about book sorting.
FSPL ALL FRIENDS MEETING
On Sunday, June 27, some of the branch leadership held a virtual meeting over Zoom to hear an update for SPL Director, Rivkah Sass and the Friends leadership group.
Some of the points of interest:
The Book Den
The Book Den held a shopping day for the warehouse in June and will hold another on July 18. Attendance is by appointment only, and the June and July slots were filled pretty quickly. So, starting in August, there will be two shopping days a month, and they may reduce the length of the time slot from the current two hours to accommodate more shoppers. Because The Book Den itself is so small, it’s not clear how to safely reopen the regular book store but they are working on plans, and hope to have a limited reopening by September.
Some of the health and safety changes at The Book Den: an acrylic cage has been added around cashiers, they have reconfigured the sorting area to ensure adequate social distancing, and of course, all persons entering the warehouse must be wearing a mask.
SPL
Rivkah Sass mentioned that the pandemic has produced more virtual programs and more creative use staff, including virtual visits in the classroom. Rivkah answered questions from the branches:
- 24 branches now offer curbside service. These are generally the large buildings that can accommodate more staff in the building. Staff is working to come up with a safe and workable scheme for the remaining four small branches. Curbside pickup by appointment is now available at Arcade, Arden-Dimick, Belle Cooledge, Carmichael, Colonial Heights, Del Paso, Elk Grove, Franklin, Fair Oaks, Galt-Marian O. Lawrence, Isleton Library, Martin Luther King, Jr., McKinley, North Highlands-Antelope, Nonie Wetzel Courtland Library, North Natomas, Rancho Cordova, Rio Linda, Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven, Southgate, South Natomas, Sylvan Oaks, Valley Hi-North Laguna and Walnut Grove locations. This service is available by appointment Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. at all locations except Nonie-Wetzel Courtland Library and Isleton Library.
- Right now, you can only order a book for curbside pickup that is actually available at your branch. They are hoping to expand service to allow you to request a book that is available at another branch which would be transported to your branch.
- Staff has met with the Elections Department, and it appears that 27 branches can be open for the November election.
- SPL received a $500,000 CARES grant from the City (supported by the Friends) for enhanced broadband service.
- The 2021 budget is the same as 2020, but there is still some uncertainty about the City of Sacramento contribution to the budget.
- SPL is writing a grant application for $950,000 to acquire two new bookmobiles.
- Neil Gaiman, whose May visit had to be cancelled, has agreed to come to Sacramento when it’s safe.
The next All Friends meeting will be Sunday, September 27, also to be held over Zoom.
NORTH HIGHLANDS-ANTELOPE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
In light of the library’s closure, we will not hold a July meeting. Hopefully this newsletter can substitute for some of the information we typically share during meetings.
The bad news is that the August book sale is cancelled, and we will have to revisit the wisdom of a sale in November. The good news is that I will not be bugging you to volunteer.
Our Mother’s Day tea in on hold indefinitely. Our author, Barbara Klide is local, so when it is safe, she is willing to participate.
