By Sue Hotz
2019 SCFOL board of directors elected
The San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) officers and Members at Large for 2019, were elected at the annual SCFOL General Membership Meeting.
The officers are: Joan Hayes (president), Evie McGhee (secretary) and Jerry Hotz (treasurer). Members at Large are: Bill Bischoff, Ruth Coleman, Bobbi Dennis, Sue Hotz, and Ron McFee. Congratulations to all, and we thank them for the many volunteer hours they donate to the library and our community.
We also thank artist Terry Naughton for his very enjoyable talk. Joan Hayes reviewed SCFOL’s 2018 activities, and introduced our 2018-SCFOL Life Members, whose names have been added to the branch’s Honor Wall located in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery.
My final column
In January, SCFOL will be turning the writing of this column over to our wonderful San Carlos branch librarians, David Ege and Sarah Hendy-Jackson. I have very much enjoyed the experience, but would now like to move on to other endeavors. I will continue to promote the activities of SCFOL and the San Carlos Branch Library via our monthly newsletters and on the SCFOL website, sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org. Happy holidays, and I’ll see you on the web, Sue Hotz.
Christmas stockings
Until Jan. 3, stop by the San Carlos Branch Art Gallery to select your beautiful hand sewn, unique Christmas stocking designed by Grace Gabriel. They are available for the small price of $12 each. Purchase instructions are on the wall.
Small quilt wall art
Jan. 7–31, the colorful, wall art small quilts of Noreen Ring will be on display in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. These beautiful small quilts are of Ring’s own design, and created by selecting bits of 100 percent commercial or hand-dyed cotton fabric. Each bit of fabric is hand stitched into a quilt “sandwich” (top/batting/backing) using a variety of different threads, embellished with beads, crystals and yarns, and then sprayed with a UV protector and framed behind glass or Plexiglas. Discuss this unique art form with Ring at her artist reception on Jan. 19, noon–2 p.m., in the art gallery.
OASIS: ‘Genealogy: Be an Ancestor Detective’
Dec. 21, 2–3 p.m., OASIS presents, “Geneology: Be an Ancestor Detective.” How much do you know about your ancestors? This class covers the where and how to begin your search for answers of when they came to the U.S., their homeland, and lots more. One warning should be given to prospective class members: This is a very addictive hobby, and once started, the need to know more grows and grows!
Library Book Club selection
On Jan. 10, 12:30–2 p.m., the Library Book Club is discussing “The Paris Wife,” by Paula McLain. In Chicago during 1920, Ernest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson fall madly in love, quickly married, and then honeymooned in Paris where they continued to live and socialize for 10 years with a well-known group of fast-living expatriots. The experiences of those years formed the basis for “The Sun Also Rises.” Despite their intense love, the unstable Parisian life style tore Hemingway and Hadley apart.
A holly jolly book surprise
Our library elves have wrapped up some great kids books that are ready for you to borrow. During the entire month of December, kids ages 12 and under, can check out a surprise, good read! Kids won’t know what book is in their package until they unwrap it at home, and enjoy a great story.
From the managing librarian
As this year ends, we are so pleased that the San Carlos Branch Library could offer so much opportunity, discovery and inspiration in 2018! We partnered with many local organizations for feature events and had great attendance at our monthly programs. This year we held our first Robotics Showcase Extravaganza, which featured unique robotic creations built for competitions by local robotics teams from Dailard Elementary, Pershing Middle, Cajon Park Junior High and Patrick Henry High schools.
So far this year, we held 190 programs for children with 5,416 participants. Our youth services librarian coordinated many special programs to engage young people. The library’s annual Spring into STEAM program included a When Stars Go Boom interactive display and the Where’s Waldo Button Design Contest attracted record numbers to the Summer Reading Program. Children participated in the science-based Challenge Island series, Artifact Junction with the San Diego Archaeological Center, Incredible Insects with a local entomologist, and South African Music & Dance with the Center for World Music. We worked with the Environmental Services Department to co-host an All About Recycling event and our Halloween Trick-or-Read program gave free books to kids. Families also enjoyed our Clifford the Big Red Dog Party, and Clifford even made a special appearance.
We have held 166 programs for adults that attracted 2,311 attendees in 2018. San Diego County Health & Human Services presented on good mental health and taught people to avoid scams in the Don’t Get Hooked program. Patrons learned about the development of the city with the Old Town, New Town and San Diego During WWI presentations by the San Diego History Center, and the Save Our Heritage Organization had us remembering the Marstons. We had a Persian New Year Celebration, which featured beautiful music and singers, and partnered with the San Carlos Garden Club for the annual Art & Flower Show. The community also enjoyed listening to authors speak about their works at our monthly author talks.
The dedication and hard work of the San Carlos Friends of the Library made these wonderful events possible and we appreciate their support. A special thank you to the staff and volunteers that make our library such a friendly community gathering place!
—David Ege, branch manager San Carlos Branch Library
Dates to remember
All recurring adult and youth activities will continue at their regularly scheduled times during the holidays.
- Dec. 25: CLOSED, Christmas Day
- Jan. 1: CLOSED, New Years Day
- Jan. 4, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Friends of the Library only, Used-Book Pre-sale. Join SCFOL during the sale
- Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.: SCFOL Monthly Used Book Sale
—Sue Hotz is publicity chair and board member of the San Carlos Friends of the Library.