By Sue Hotz

Honoring the past — building for the future

What a wonderful year this has been! Nov. 19 marked the final SCFOL celebration of the San Carlos Branch Library’s 40th Anniversary year. At the SCFOL Annual Membership Meeting, Jack and Carolyn Winer’s sons, Gene, Rocky and Michael unveiled the new signage for “The Winer Family Community Room and Art Gallery,” and assisted past SCFOL President Judy McCarty and President Judy Williams in unveiling the SCFOL Honor Wall. The room looks great. The library’s east entrance is also getting a makeover. The gates are gone, and the long awaited ADA restroom upgrades will soon be completed. New bookshelves, carts, tables and chairs abound. Stop by and check it out.

Youth programs: Friday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.: “Writing for Literacy Essay Contest” essays are due. Tuesdays at 4 p.m., yoga; Wednesdays at 2 p.m., school-age storytime; Fridays at 10 p.m., preschool storytime; second Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Spanish storytime. Certified help with homework Monday through Friday starts at 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Adult programs: Mondays at 9:30 a.m. starting Jan. 5, 2015, T’ai Chi Chuan with local instructor Sifu Mario Mayorga.

Art: Jan. 6 – Feb. 5: Safari Art Circle with Hazel Ross is on exhibit. Artist demonstration and reception is Jan. 17 at noon.

Oasis: Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. is “Tut: The Boy Pharaoh.”

Author: Jan. 23 at 2 p.m.: Layla Fiske, author of “The Fig Orchard.”

Go to sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org for program updates.

SCFOL PREZ Judy Williams SEZ: As this 40th anniversary year ends, I send a heartfelt “thank you” to all who have supported SCFOL and our branch library throughout its history. This year, we “honored our past” with a spectacular 40th Anniversary GALA; the creation of a 40-year historical timeline spreadsheet, historical picture boards and an oral history video with stories of our beginnings as told by those who were there; by celebrating a landmark monthly used book sale; by honoring the Winer Family; by creating the SCFOL Honor Wall which recognizes our Life Members and past Presidents — they represent all members and volunteers who have given us their time, talent and financial support. We also “Built for the Future,” by supporting members of our community. We recognized the 234 San Carlos fourth, eighth, and 10th graders who entered and then honored the winners of the citywide “Writing For Literacy, Library Essay Contest,” created by Jack Winer 19 years ago.

In August, we sponsored the “FREE Family Fun Fair” with a local authors fair, games, face painting, crafts and cotton candy for all ages. We underwrote the Craft Fair, and programs including OASIS, art, music, speakers, yoga, meditation, exercise classes, summer reading programs, and a variety of youth activities such as contests, Kids and Nature, Steam 2 Academy, exercise and craft classes. By sprucing up the library’s physical appearance, we hope to have inspired you to visit the library more often and join us in these many activities.

As this celebratory year comes to a close, it is now time for us to continue in earnest to “Build for the Future.” The San Carlos Branch Library needs more space to provide and improve its services to our community. Due to Jack Winer’s tireless efforts, the city has access to the Jackson and Golfcrest corner lot, and designs for a new branch library complex are being prepared. To move forward, we need the community’s financial support and cornerstone donors. Join or renew your SCFOL membership; numbers count! I look forward to seeing you at the library and monthly used book sales.

New library hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 3p.m. Dec. 24: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; CLOSED: Dec. 25 – Jan. 1. There will be a used book sale on Saturday, Jan. 3.

—Sue Hotz is a SCFOL board member in charge of publicity.