NOTES BETWEEN FRIENDS
Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library
Eighth and Franklin, Olympia, WA
October-November 2004

Officers and Board 2004-06

President: Wanda Hedrick
352-2867
1st VP (Membership): JoAnn
Sterbis 754-7005
2nd VP (Book Sale Coord):
Irene Osborn
Sec.: Mary Campbell
Treasurer: Beth Dubey
Board Members:
B.J. Brown
Larry Bauman
Wilma Bullington
Jean Finely
Mary Flannery
Vicky Friend
Robert Harris
Eileen Keith
Georgia Munger
Winnifred Olsen
Patti Trimm
Sally Winslow

Communications Committee
Wanda Hedrick: President
Jean Finely: Publicity
Eileen Keith: Newsltr. Editor
JoAnn Sterbis: Mailing
Leo Scarpelli: Web Page

Web Site:
www. Olympiafriends.com

BOOK SALE BRINGS IN $3,000
The October book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library brought in approximately $3,000. Sending out red colored flyers for the members-only pre-sale and yellow to the mailing list worked well. Memberships paid now will carry over to 2005 and entitle the new or renewed member to attend the members only pre-sales in 2005. The next book sale is February 4-5.

SERVICES TO HISPANIC POPULATION INCREASE
In response to the growing Hispanic population in western Washington, Timberland Regional Library (TRL) applied for and was awarded a “Serving Cultural Diversity” grant by the Washington State Library. The grant, named “Bibliotecas para Todos—Libraries for Everyone” began in November 2003. Grant activities were located in Aberdeen, Centralia, Shelton and Olympia. Goals included: develop an outreach model to the Hispanic community; determine the need for improved outreach to and programs for the Hispanic population in the TRL district; improve TRL staff skills and abilities to assist Hispanic users; provide opportunities for limited English Hispanic residents to practice basic conversational English; and increase and improve Spanish-language collections. Over the past year a variety of activities were undertaken to achieve these goals. A full-time Diversity Librarian was recruited to develop the model and coordinate the outreach activities. A needs assessment was conducted with Hispanic organizations and local agencies serving the Hispanic population to determine the information and literacy needs of local Latino communities. TRL conducted sensitivity/cultural training and Spanish language training for staff. Volunteers conducted “Talk Time/Charlas,” to improve skills in conversational English and bi-lingual story times were initiated. Both programs will continue. (Call Sara Pete at 352-0595 for more information.) Adult programs on such topics as home mortgages, financial planning and parenting are being planned. TRL purchased 500 Spanish language and bi-lingual fiction and non-fiction books and other materials. Stronger alliances with Latino organizations were developed through these efforts..

COMING EVENTS AT THE LIBRARY

Page Turners*
The selection for November 5th is “Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble and Coming of Age in the Bronx.” The title describes the subject matter of this 10 year study by journalist Adrian LeBlanc. The other selection for November is the winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for fiction “The Known World” by Edward P. Jones. The epic story of a black farmer and former slave examines slavery and all its complexities. The selection for December 3rd is a long-awaited new novel by Australian writer Shirley Hazzard, “The Great Fire.” The story describes the aftermath of WWII in Japan. The central characters are an Englishman who is part of the occupation force and the teenage daughter and son of an Australian commander. The theme is the restoration of the capacity for love. Page Turners meets from 10:00 to noon.

Story Times
Book Babies will meet Dec. 1 from 10:30-10:50 and 11:00-11:20.a.m.
Preschool Story Time meets Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec. 6 at 11:15 a.m.
Toddler Story Time on the same dates at 11:35 a.m.
Family Story Time on the same dates from 7:00-7:30 p.m.
Reading Explorers, a book discussion group for ages 9-12 will meet on Nov. 16, and Dec. 21 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Other Events for Children*
“A Lemony Snicket Premature Premier Party” for children 10-14, Dec. 11. 2-3 p.m.; “Reading Magic” with Jeff Evans for ages 5-12, 11-11:45 on
Dec. 29; Storytelling and Old Time Traditions with Joe and Paula McHugh for families on Nov. 20, 2-3 p. m.

Adults and Teens
Holiday Card Making for Teens, Dec. 2, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
“Islam and Music in the Islamic World.”* Ethnomusicologist Sean Williams will exam the basic relationship between Islam and music, Nov. 10, 7-8:30 pm.
“Conversations with the Inner Dog and Koans for the Inner Dog” Llyn DeDanaan will speak about her books written for dogs and their owners,
Nov. 30, 7-8:30 p.m.
*Sponsored by Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library

Highlights from September and October Board Meetings

· Carrie Dye presented her plan for Youth Activities for the coming season. The Board approved $2,000 to fund her programs.
· Cheryl Heywood showed the cabinet that the Friends purchased to house the TV in the meeting room.
· Cheryl reported that July had the highest daily count ever. An average of over 1,300 people came into the library each day.
· The new roof is finished.
· Six staff members resigned to return to school or retire.
· On September 18 there was a celebration of the accomplishments made possible by the grant for outreach to the Hispanic population. (See page 1 for a report on the grant).
· Long range planning continues. Representatives of 65 community groups attended sessions at the library where they shared goals and activities. The next step was a survey of users and non-users. Results are being compiled.
· At the September meeting Deanna Weaver requested support for a book sale at Media Island which is located across the street from the library. In turn, they would help us publicize our book sale. (Both sales were on the same day). Their collection focuses on economics, social justice, and the independent press. The board agreed. She reported at the October meeting they raised enough to buy several special subscriptions.
· Beth Dubey offered to donate a flag for the meeting room.
· Friends will again participate in the Christmas wrap fund raiser at Barnes and Noble book store. This activity is good for exposure of Friends.
· Stories on how the library changes people’s lives are being collected. These stories will be shared in future issues of the newsletter.

President’s Corner
By Wanda Hedrick

With another successful book sale behind us, this seems like a good time to remind everyone what our funds support:
· Programs for teens and adults;
· Media equipment for use in public programs and staff training;
· Light refreshments for programs and staff training;
· Miscellaneous expenses associated with making the library an inviting place to visit and work.

Volunteers for Book Sale
Thanks to the following: Marilyn Albro, Wayne Albro, Mary Applen, Rosalie Ballew, Warren Ballew, Larry Bauman, Barbara Bolender, John Boyle, B.J. Brown, Wilma Bullington, Mary Campbell, Beverly Clark, Nels Christianson, Jacob Deatherage, Beth Dubey, JeanFinely, Mary Flannery, Vicky Friend, Robert Harris, Chris Hedrick, Sue Hedrick, Wanda Hedrick, Joan Heilenday, Tod Heilenday. Bob James, Susan James, Helen Keiser, Eileen Keith, Jeaneen Linn, Terrance Linn, Gene Little, Barbara Malone, Tom Malone, Marge Milligan, Yoko Miyamota, Nancy Motomatsu, Toshiko Motomatsu, Georgia Munger, Winnie Olsen, Irene Osborn, Sabrina Osborn, Barbara Packard, Katie Putlitz, Jane Shiner, Barbara Stelljis, JoAnn Sterbis, Gene Sterbis, Mark Streuli, Peter Sweet, Patti Trimm, Mary Lou VonBergen, Deana Weaver and her Media Island team, Jay Wheeler, Sally Winslow.
Thanks to those who donated books and to Top Foods for donation of bags.
Leftover paperbacks were donated to the Thurston County Jail.