FRIENDS OF THE SALINAS PUBLIC LIBRARY - SALINAS, CA

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IMPORTANT -- FOSPL MEMBERS URGED TO SPEAK OUT!

What: The Measure V Oversight Committee Meeting

When: Monday April 28 at 4:00 pm

Where:The West wing Conference Room at City Hall

At this meeting, the Measure V Oversight Committee will continue discussion from last week of the use of next year's Measure V revenue.

The City wants to cut - by half - additional library staffing for 7 open days ($500,000) and to cut out staffing money for a bookmobile, funding it instead with contingency money ($120,000) which is needed for emergencies.

At the recent Steinbeck Literacy Forum, Sylvia Panetta said, "Salinas has a world-class library director." Yet we're being asked to handicap her by holding back half of what she needs to accomplish outreach she sees as VITAL.

FOSPL urges all of our members to attend this Measure V Oversight Committee meeting and again show the strong community support for our libraries that got Measure V passed in the first place! You will have the opportunity to speak up and personally express your concern about shortchanging our library!

Celebrate National Library Week - April 13 - 19!

FOSPL would like to encourage all of our members to attend a special library event being held on Sunday, April 13th. Sunday is the kick-off day for National Library Week and special events are being held throughout the week at all three library branches - check with your local library branch for a list of their activities.

Join Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place, for a reading and book signing at John Steinbeck Library on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 1 p.m. Kirkus Reviews calls The Middle Place, "A cancer survivor's memoir with a welcome twist: a laughter-filled celebration of family." Kelly will also answer audience questions.

LIBRARY PLANNING KICKS OFF 3/24

The first community planning meeting for the Salinas Public Library, as specified by Rally Salinas! and Measure V efforts, will be held on Monday March 24. Bruce Astrein, Libraries For The Future, will conduct the meeting on Monday March 24 from 11:30am to 1pm at the John Steinbeck Library. Lunch will be provided. FOSPL members should RSVP to Elizabeth Martinez at 758-7391.

FOSPL-Sponsored Story Time a BIG SUCCESS!

A lively, fun afternoon was enjoyed by the hundred or so adults and children, not to mention the library staff, who participated in or overheard some part of the Parade of Lights Holiday Stories and Music Time on November 29th, 3-5 PM. At one peak time, 65 adults and children and adults were in a full Children’s Room.

Mary Schaefer of “Music Together” started things off with musical activities. Mary’s a Pied Piper who captivates children with songs, percussion, and play, like the blanket leaves toss the children enjoyed. Even the shyest ones soon join in.

Costumed characters, who later appeared in the Parade, arrived --Curious George, Peter Rabbit, and two Berenstein Bears-- as well as a surprise visitor, Sparky the Fire Dog. Susanne Burns of the Young Company staff at Western Stage read a Berenstein Bears Christmas story in their honor.

Former SPL Children’s Coordinator and children’s author, Carol Diggery Shields read from her books, to the delight of some who remembered her as well as those who had just met her. Rabbi Mike Howald followed with a Hanukkah story that brought out the holiday spirit of love and giving.

Storyteller Mark Wirth had all entranced with his energetic story with props, including a wolf, a family and a search for a Christmas tree and lots of danger, but a happy ending.

For the drawing, Border’s donated twenty-four books. FOSPL purchased seven of Carol Shield’s books and the Library donated five copies of “Tomas and the Library Lady.” Thirty six lucky winners were called to pick up their books at Steinbeck Library. Ninety-six children received a Christmas pencil and the Library added some Salinas Public Library pencils as well as bookmarks, holiday reading lists, and the Library’s recent brochure in plastic SPL bags.

Special thanks to the following FOSPL members: Marlys Maher and Miryam Mejia for planning and coordination of the event; Karen Steadman, Marvin Wolf and Carla Wolf for their wonderful assistance at the event.

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