NEWS & UPDATES
The Friends wish you a happy and healthy 2021. We can’t wait to see you again at the library, to hold a big book sale and to “see” happy first graders getting their Book First book! And of course, our favorite activity, the 2021 Tea.
NORTH HIGHLANDS-ANTELOPE BRANCH UPDATE
As is befitting the season, this winter at Sacramento Public Library has seen an outward quiet that masks not just our preparations for new growth, but also some very real activity happening beneath the snowdrifts. Although the Governor’s recent stay-at-home order has caused the library to once again restrict in-person browsing at our North Highlands-Antelope branch, staff here have remained dedicated to supporting not just our popular curbside pick-up service, but also our much-needed in-branch computer appointments and virtual services.
- Here from North Highlands-Antelope, Librarian Meghan continues to helm our weekly virtual Homework Zone for students in grades K-8. Recognizing the need for continued homework support as more and more schools in our area closed their physical doors, Meghan was quick to shift our homework help program online, benefitting not just students in our area but those from across the County as well. She and Librarian Denise are currently preparing for our annual Friends-sponsored Book First program, and in collaboration with our colleagues and Friends from across the system, are developing effective virtual visits to accompany the delivery of book packets for first-grade children. More news to come on that front in the weeks ahead.
- The Library continues to support online learning in other ways as well. In partnership with the City of Sacramento, as well as other community-based organizations and non-profits, the Library is working to bring the Internet home at no-cost to eligible residents based in the City of Sacramento. Funded as part of the $89 million grant the City received from the federal CARES Act, the library is in the process of receiving and distributing 1,400 Wi-Fi hotspots that will deliver the Internet for free to residents throughout our community for the next year. The need for this service has already shown itself through the popularity of this new service, with our first wave of device requests quickly selling out.
- Closer to home, work continues in the search to find a replacement for the irreplaceable Kristi Powell. Across the County, COVID has shown us the need for an adaptable staffing model, and branch supervisors are no exception. My thanks go out to library supervisors Bruce Barber and Shane Kent, as well as circulation supervisors Shanel Royal and Hanna Smith, for their leadership during this interim as we work to find the best service model and fit for the future supervisor at North Highlands-Antelope. As always, the Friends’ support during this transition is most appreciated, and we hope to have more news soon. Shane Kent is Acting Branch Supervisor for the branch.
- Thom Gruneisen (who has been transferred to Fair Oaks)
FRIENDS OF THE NORTH HIGHLANDS-ANTELOPE LIBRARY
The Friends will hold a virtual meeting over Zoom on Wednesday, January 20 at 11:00 am. The agenda includes:
- Elect branch officers for 2021. The slate of officers nominated include Charlyne Nichols, President, Karen Lindh, Vice President, Karen Sanders, Treasurer; and Jerry Matlin and Debby Karaman, Co-Treasurers.
- Approve 2020 Financial Report and 2021 Budget for Submittal to FSPL
- Approve minutes of January 15, 2020
- New business
- Some branches are providing funding for summer reading, since the traditional fundraisers could not be held. Do we want to allocate some of the budget surplus to fund Summer Reading at the North Highlands-Antelope library?
To connect on a computer, smart phone or tablet, click the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86149868105?pwd=UzVMbEdpYS83K2o1bk9QSEd4NldzQT09
Meeting ID: 861 4986 8105
Passcode: 691627
To join by phone:
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 861 4986 8105
Passcode: 691627
- The North Highlands-Antelope Mystery Book Club continues to meet via Zoom. Our next meeting is Saturday, January 16, at 1:30 pm. The book is “The Reckoning” by John Grisham. The Zoom link is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86432173351?pwd=SFFobnkwZnUrcmRtd2xCdm9kaHhQdz09
Meeting ID: 864 3217 3351
Passcode: 94646
The February book is Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok. The Zoom meeting will be held on Saturday, February 20 at 1:30 pm.
SUPPORT YOUR BRANCH FRIENDS!
At the end of 2020, membership of the North Highlands-Antelope Friends had dwindled to 30 members, down from 48 one year prior. Membership dues and Amazon sales have been our sole income over the past nine months. While we have not been funding programs, we continue to provide for Lucky Day books. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership, you can send your check to 828 I Street, Suite 408, Sacramento 95814, or update online:
Donations https://saclibfriends.org/donate/
Membership https://saclibfriends.org/membership/
This is a small financial commitment that wields huge benefits for our community!
SACRAMENTO PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE
- Curbside pickup by appointment is still available at North Highlands-Antelope and most other locations. Reserve your book online, get an email when the book is available. Drive over to the branch any time the library is open and text the number listed on the sign. When prompted, enter your library card number. A staff member will bring your book to the table in front.
- Even during the pandemic, Sacramento Public Library continues to offer lots of online programming, from story time, to teen programs, and several adult book clubs. Check out saclibrary.org to get the complete list.
- For other events, like book groups, story time, and online Zumba, check out the events calendar on the SPL website: https://saclibrary.evanced.info/signup/List.
BIG DAY OF GIVING/BOOK FIRST
Due to the pandemic, Book First will look a little different this school year. There will be two books, a work sheet and parent letter in a fun pack for first graders. About 14,000 book packs were assembled by a group of 100 volunteers. The task was so popular, 100 volunteers signed up within 24 hours!
The classroom Zoom visits are being scheduled over the next few months. Potential volunteers will contact their branch youth services librarians to schedule the visits.
Vicki Rondeau, with the North Natomas Friends, is co-chair for this year. If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s book sorting or virtual school visits, contact her at: libraryland11@yahoo.com.
FRIENDS OF SACRAMENTO PUBLIC LIBRARY 
ANNUAL MEETING AND ALL FRIENDS SET
The FSPL Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 pm. At the Annual Meeting, 2021 Officers will be elected, new board members will be elected, and we will receive an update from Rivkah Sass, Library Director about Library offerings and Book First rollout. Later, each branch will provide a brief update on local activities. All Friends are invited to attend.Zoom meeting ID: 87424452191 Passcode: 274163 Join Zoom Meeting: https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/87424452191?pwd=bUVWL3FCU1ArZUUzTnZndUpiRVNwQT09
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Big Day of Giving on Thursday, May 6! We are planning an extra special Book First for the 2021-22 school year, and hope all our members will participate!
LIKE THE 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, volunteer opportunities, and programs are posted on a regular basis.
A NOTE TO THE COMMUNITY
There is a new non-profit organization that is operating in the North Highlands/Antelope area to benefit under-appreciated and disenfranchised youth. The name of the organization is Sacramento Youth Development & Enrichment Program Inc. In 2020, a local business, VJ’s Transportation Services, here in Sacramento California, provided a generous donation to assist us in our mission.
For further information, please contact Victor Jones at (916)208-8547.
Disclaimer: The North Highlands-Antelope Friends have been asked to share this outreach ad with our library community. This group is not affiliated with Sacramento Public Library or Friends of Sacramento Public Library
