Activities and events at the San Carlos Branch Library

By Sue Hotz

Happy holidays

The San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) wish everyone a peaceful and healthy holiday season. The library will be open Dec. 27–31. At the SCFOL annual meeting, new SCFOL Life Member Linda Kerr was introduced as well as those named last month. All six have had their names added to the Community Room’s Honor Wall. Thank You!

New San Carlos Branch Library design update

Judy Williams introduced a surprise guest at the SCFOL annual meeting. David Pfeifer from Domusstudio Architecture, showed the plans which he and his associates presented to the San Carlos Branch Library Building Committee in October.

All were impressed with the design. The 25,000-square-foot, world-class library will be a single-story structure; its exterior building and landscape designs compliment the natural habitat of the area and the theme will be carried throughout its modern interior design. The main entrance will be situated on the north side of the upper lot. An estimated 31 parking spaces including handicapped will be on this upper level. The 2,500-square-foot Community Room and SCFOL’s book storage area can be accessed from within the main library, but also have independent outside access. The library extends over the corner lot at Golfcrest and Jackson Drives — 15 feet above the surface — creating a covered, but open, 46-space parking lot which includes handicap areas. From there, the library can be accessed via a lower level entry court either by elevator or stairs. This entry area is close by for those who use public transportation. Entrance to and egress from both parking areas are available via a two-way drive which circles behind the building, connecting Golfcrest and Jackson Drives.

The library’s interior is state of the art and designed with the future in mind. Private meeting/study rooms, large areas dedicated to children’s activities, two maker spaces, a separate teen area with group study modules, and a large adult reading area with lots of natural light and seating with views that open onto an elevated outdoor terrace are a few of the design features.

The design will be presented to the community at the Navajo Community Planners’ meeting to be held at the Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Carlos on Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there. The corner lot mitigation continues; recent reports sound hopeful that completion is in sight.

—Judy Williams, SCFOL president

SCFOL president, Joan Hayes reviews 2016

As I reflect on my first year of being president of SCFOL, I have many things to be thankful for. Our new Branch Manager, David Ege, joined us in January. He has added a great deal to our library, and we as the Friends, are enjoying working with him.

I have many “thank yous” to mention; first, the Friends for re-electing me for another year. Judy Williams is doing a great job as Chair of our Building Committee. Volunteer coordinator Lee Ottman, organizes our wonderful book sale volunteers. Sue Hotz keeps the public aware of the branch’s programs via the Mission Times Courier and our website. Evie McGhee keeps fantastic minutes and records. Ron McFee, Roberta Irwin, Jim Shields and many volunteers work tirelessly all month to create our huge monthly book sales. A big “Thank You” to all who donate the books each month; without you we would not have a sale. Become a SCFOL member for as little as $5–20 per year, $250 for Life Memberships, and join us for our very successful SCFOL members-only Friday book sales — have first choice on paperbacks and media.

Jerry Hotz sees that our finances are in order. This year, SCFOL donated $22,000 to the Friends of the Library Foundation Matching Funds to purchase programs, equipment and materials for the library. Our equipment fund purchased the Radio Frequency ID machine which will be installed later this year.

Bobbi Dennis updates our membership list which stands at 195 annual and 98 life members! Ruth Coleman joined our board this year and manages our Amazon book sales. Barbara Stewart organizes the artists and beautiful art displays in our Art Gallery along with Su Bonnet. Ruth George lists the branch’s activities on “Next Door San Carlos,” and suggests OASIS programs. Carleen Hemric finds fantastic local authors to present their books. Thank you one and all!

Our wonderful essay contest co-coordinator Barbara Woodall and her daughter Patty resigned this year. With the help of Lyn Crisologo, I am filling in but we need this position filled soon.

To all who have supported our branch library and SCFOL by your program attendance, book rentals, and donations, I thank you and look forward to seeing you at the library.

Art shows

Dec. 5, 2016–Feb. 2, 2017, 19 SewMates Quilters are showing their awesome quilts in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. If you are too busy during the holidays, take time in 2017 to see their display and meet the quilters on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 2–3 p.m. Some of their quilts are available for purchase.

Books and speakers

Jan. 12, 12:30-2 p.m., the Library Book Club is reading “Orphan Train” by Christian Baker-Kline. Book Club books are available near the Reserves. Please check them out at the front desk.

Jan. 14, 1–3 p.m., the library presents “Learning to Think.” In a new and entertaining way you will come away with a brand new mindset of your life and how it turned out the way it has.

OASIS

Jan. 20, 1–3 p.m., hear how “San Diego Invites the World.” The 1915 Expo that put San Diego on the map, created the nation’s largest urban cultural park, promoted Southern California as a land of optimism and opportunity, and fostered internationalism. Register at the library for this free program.

Winter break youth programs

Kids can enjoy yoga on Tuesday Dec. 20, 4–4:45 p.m., and “After School Special” is in session Dec. 21 and 28 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Pre-K Storytime will meet Dec. 23, 10–10:45 a.m. Kids can get creative in “Process Art” Dec. 22 and 29 from 4–5 p.m.

Dec. 28, 4–5:10 p.m., Challenge Island presents “Rain-forest Animal Game Show” for ages 7–12. In this session, kids will create origami tree frogs and jump them around a rainforest racetrack. Signups required.

Dec. 29, meet a real-life fire truck and its crew! Storytime takes place at 10 a.m., and all other activities follow from 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Dates to Remember

Dec. 16, 3 p.m.: Essay Contest Deadline

Jan. 6, 1:30–3:30: Members-only Used Book Sale

Jan. 7, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.: Used Book Sale

Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.: Navajo Community Planners Meeting at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Carlos

The library will be closed on these observed holidays:

Dec. 26: Christmas

Jan. 2: New Year’s Day

Jan. 12: Martin Luther King Jr.

The following programs are cancelled:

Dec. 27: Chair Yoga, Kid’s Yoga, Youth Chess