Friends Newsletter, December 2012

December 2012 Friends’ Matters 2012 Highlights

Inside this issue:

Fund Raising Tutor.com Continued the popular ongoing book sale at the library; raised $3,463 from January – September 2012 Teens’ News Treasurer Elect Raised $3,725 through two successful book sales in the spring and fall Children’s Services Finance Committee drafted Gift Acceptance and Spending Policies Book Club Finance Committee established an investment account of $35,000 with Triangle Community Foundation 2012 Committees 2012 Thanks Contributed to registration fees for library staff to attend professional conference You are cordially

invited to the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the We Are United for Libraries Orange County Public With all the love and respect that libraries receive, it amazes me that so many are in trouble. Yes, I know that times are tough, and localities are and will be the last to recover from the great recession. Yet, libraries, costing roughly less than 2 percent of local city and county budgets, are busier than ever. In addition, libraries are providing solutions to many community problems caused by the lingering effects of the economic downturn.

Library Saturday, December 1, 2012 2:00 p.m.

Large Meeting Room, Orange County Public We all know that public libraries have become local employment agencies, e-government one -stop shopping centers, providers of free entertainment for those forced to drop cable and book or e-book purchases, and a place to gather and explore the internet without having to pay the price of home service. These are all good and valuable roles that have been highlighted in the last several years. But … are libraries simply becoming the information welfare system for the have nots?

Library Moreton Neal, editor of Chapel Hill Food Lover’s Guide with Carrboro & Hillsborough, will be our speaker.

If they are, then they always have been.

See p. 6 Volume 2, Issue 4 Programs Hosted a library staff appreciation breakfast and gave staff goody bags in April.

Sponsored or co-sponsored:

“Having Our Say” with Marie Torian as moderator in February “e-Books for Libraries: Good, Bad or Indifferent?” with Dani Brecher and Chad Haefele in May Sparrows’ Nest of Letters with Joy Sparrow in September The Unfinished Garden with Barbara Claypole White in October Chapel Hill Food Lover’s Guide with Carrboro & Hillsborough with Moreton Neal in December Published four issue of Friends’ Matters See FOCPL 2012 Committees, p. 3 By Sally Gardner Reed, Executive Director of United for Libraries Because in serving these roles and many others, libraries are doing what they have been doing for more than 100 years—ensuring that all people in the community have access to the resources they need and want to be self actualized and self governing people.

Incredibly, they do it in a way that meets the exact unique needs of each individual coming through the door. While the trends for service change with the cultural, political, and economic shifts and challenges, the role remains the same.

It is a role that is as critical now as it was when Andrew Carnegie said when he began giving the first of his library grants in 1898, “There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.” Yes, then as now libraries provided the level playing field for knowledge and information that is critical to our democracy. I can’t help but wonder then, when libraries cost so little and deliver so See United for Libraries, p. 3

Teen Advisory Board is Back in Action!

Friends’ Matters A Publication of the The Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) came together for their first meeting of the 2012-2013 school year in September, spent a little time getting to know each other and then got right down to brass tacks: planning a Poster Contest and a Halloween Party for all ages. TAB members agreed that they wanted to include all ages in these projects, and not to limit participation to just teens and tweens. TAB determined the basic rules, guidelines and possible prizes for the Poster Contest, and it was a great success – with 15 entries from people ranging in age from 53 to 7 years old. The posters were themed to help promote International Games Day, an American Library Association initiative that focuses on family gaming in libraries all over the world. TAB selected the winner and runner-up in each of three age brackets at their October meeting. Then, we started to look toward the approaching holiday season and decided that TAB would come together in November to decorate the Teen Room using a theme selected at the meeting: “Pigs of the Season.” Expect to find some cute Friends of the Orange County Public Library Volume 2, Issue 4 December 2012 FOCPL Newsletter Committee Janet L. Flowers, Chair Bridget Booher, Editor Chris Holaday Sara Levinson Lisa Wolfe, Design Library launches live tutoring from Tutor.com By Anne Pusey, Interim Head of Information Services On Friday, September 21, 2012, Orange County Public Library launched a new resource that offers students of all ages live, one-to-one help from professional tutors online. Any community member with a library card can access the new online services from the library or right from home on any computer or mobile device connected to the Internet.

The K-12 Student Center, College Center, and Adult Career Center from Tutor.com includes live, one-on-one tutoring, a real-time writing center and 24/7 access to worksheets, videos, and tutorials on just about any subject. The live, online tutoring and resume writing service is available every day from 2 p.m. to midnight.

The service is completely free for our community.

Tutor.com has a network of over 2,500 professional academic and career tutors who are ready to help with just about any question you may have. Tutor.com is broken down into

four centers, including:

The FOCPL Board of Directors is pleased to introduce the newest member of our Board: Mark Smith, our first Treasurer Elect. Mark comes to us with extensive experience as a financial manager. He holds a CPA and JD degrees. His background in asset management and auditing has already proven invaluable to our Finance Committee. Welcome aboard, Mark!

I believe that libraries are a wonderful and, in this day and age, an underutilized community asset. Both my wife and I have raised our daughters to explore the worlds and adventures the library has to offer. This, in turn, has given them the gift of curiosity and appreciation for books and learning that I hope will benefit them throughout their lives. I know watching them immerse themselves in pages of a book is a reward to me beyond measure. For these reasons and many more I am privileged to be in a position both personally and professionally to give back to the Orange County library in Hillsborough by participating on the finance committee as the treasurer elect.

 K-12 Student Center: Students can get help with homework, test preparation, skills and concepts they are learning in class, and preparation for standardized tests and college entrance exams. Subjects include math, science, English, social studies, and writing.

See Tutor.com, p. 4 —Mark Smith, Treasurer Elect, FOCPL By Jessica Arnold, Teen and Adult Programming Coordinator piggies all dolled up for winter festivities in the coming months.

Most of the teens and tweens who participate in TAB (we average 8-10 per meeting) cited their desire to get involved in the community, and to help other teens find relevance in the library. One TAB member wrote in her Teen Advisory Board application that she hopes TAB will give her the chance “to do something to influence another teenager in the way that I’ve been influenced, and I can’t think of a better way to help out in my community.” When I told TAB that I would be writing an article about them to submit to the FOCPL newsletter, I asked them if they wanted me to include anything specific. This crew has a lot to say about the library, and I’ll leave you with a few of their sentiments.

“I like this library, I’m glad I discovered it!” – “TAB is epic, and so is the library!” – “It’s fun to help the library.” – “The library is a great learning opportunity” – “I’m glad I joined TAB, there are lots of fun people here!” – “Read more, get smarter…at the library.” A handful of Teen Advisory Board members pose for a picture during our October meeting.

Treasurer Elect Mark Smith

Children’s Services By Louise Bendall, Children’s Services It’s been a busy fall season in the Children’s Services department! We began the school year by meeting with school media specialists to discuss how we can best support students and the new Core Curriculum. By reaching out to school staff, we hope to strengthen the library’s efforts to provide information to teachers and families, while continuing our efforts to build strong partnerships which support educational and community goals.

also now offer evening story times on select Thursday nights.

Halloween was spooky fun with “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a special family program by Bright Star Theatre.

Then, everyone enjoyed the costumes and trick-or-treating at the library.

We’re looking forward to the holiday season and have a variety of festivities planned to ensure something for everyone. During the Annual Hillsborough Candlelight Home Tour, there will be an ornament making program for all ages.

We also have planned a tea time for children ages 3-6 years and their families. Marv Axelrod will return to present a Hanukkah program with stories, songs and dancing for kids 6-11 years old. Family programs will include a holiday puppet show and a theatre production of A Dickens Tale. We have also enhanced our story times to better support early literacy.

One “Lap Sit” story time is now bilingual in Spanish & English. One story time for preschoolers is now a “Stay & Play” story time, which designates time for parents to chat with each other while their children socialize and play with toys that enhance early learning.

To accommodate working families, we We look forward to seeing you at the library!

United for Libraries from p. 1

much, why all our local politicians aren’t running on the pro-library platform.

money for collections and furnishings.

Librarians owe it to this legacy to work with or create citizen groups who will march on city hall and the state house to make it clear that their libraries will not be the sacrificial (and highly costineffective) lambs for balanced budgets.

I think I know why—our community leaders and funders simply do not understand the core roles that libraries play in their constituents’ lives. The all too prevalent belief that libraries have been obviated by the internet lends testimony to their ignorance.

We changed our name because we believe that if we are all “United for Libraries” we can stem the tide of library cuts and closings. (We were formerly known as ALTAFF – the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations.)

All our services are geared toward helping our members maximize their support for libraries.

Librarians have awakened to the fact that education and advocacy are critical to ensuring the safety of their budgets.

What they’ve been less successful at is empowering their own constituencies to make the case for them. After all, they are the “people’s” libraries—they should be guarded and protected by the people they serve.

We have an abundance of toolkits, webinars, practical guides, and networking opportunities free for Friends groups, trustees, and foundation members. We can help you and your support groups raise more money, gain more supporters and users, and most importantly, we can help them understand the power of their voices and just how to use it!

Please join us.

Library news and literature has shown us that when community members put their collective feet down regarding library cuts and closings, the politicians very often back off. That’s where friends of the library groups, trustees, foundation members and active library patrons come in. They are warriors in waiting! It’s time for all librarians to commit to working closely with these lay library supporters providing them with the information and strategies they need to make their voices heard.

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/ ala-members-blog/we-are-unitedlibraries It was, in fact, groups of people just like our present day support groups that brought Carnegie grants to their communities, fought for a new line item in the town budget, and raised Note: This article, while long, gives readers a good insight into a national organization that works on behalf of libraries, librarians, and Friends.

Book Club By Sara Levinson Member, FOCPL Newsletter Committee Coordinator, Tuesday Evening Book Club

The Evening Book Club at the Library will be reading the following two books in January and February 2013. Everyone is welcome to join us! January 8: Growing up Amish / Ira Wagler One night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 a.m., left a note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. In this memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life—from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26. Growing Up Amish is the true story of one man’s quest to discover who he is and where he belongs.

February 12: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana / Gayle Tzermach Lammon

This true story begins in 1996 on the day that Kamila graduates with her teaching certificate, and the day the Taliban first arrive in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan and home to the Sidiqi family. Inspired by the sharia law of Islam, it would become the doctrine of the Taliban to completely isolate women from society. Women were not permitted to work, attend school, or even leave the house without a male relative.

Kamila’s father and brothers do not escape persecution either, and are soon forced to flee the city. Unable to teach and desperate to support her family, Kamila masters the art of dressmaking and passes on the skills to her younger sisters. In order to find work for the budding business, Kamila frequently makes the dangerous trek to the market and meets with the owners of local dress shops. Soon the business is growing, and Kamila sees an opportunity to help other women in her community. With the help of her sisters, she opens a tailoring school in their home to teach women how to sew and to give them work once they complete their training. At a time of almost insurmountable poverty, she is able to employ nearly one hundred of her friends and neighbors, all the while escaping the scrutiny of the Taliban.

FOCPL 2012 Committees Book Sale Kate Tozzolina and Chris Holaday, Spring Bill Barrows and Chris Holaday, Fall Volunteers too numerous to name

Ongoing Book Sale Erin Shepherd, Chair Bill Barrows Marcia Cameron Sandy Gerstner Laura Simmons Penny Van de Water

Finance Committee Laura Eastwood, Chair Jim Burton Paul Parker Mark Smith Janet Flowers, ex officio Sandy Gerstner, ex officio Lucinda Munger, ex officio Erin Shepherd, ex officio

Financial Review Committee Erin Shepherd, Chair Robin Bedingfield-Brown Kate Tozzolina

Program Committee Janet Flowers, Co-Chair Erin Shepherd, Co-Chair Margaret Granberry Miriam Palacio Helen Swinford Mary Wiley Board of Directors Janet Flowers, Co-Chair Erin Shepherd, Co-Chair Lori Graham, Secretary Sandy Gerstner, Treasurer Mark Smith, Treasurer Elect Bill Barrows Robin Bedingfield-Brown Chris Holaday Penny Van De Water Lucinda Munger, ex officio Andrea Tullos, ex officio

Bylaws Task Group Robin Bedingfield-Brown, Chair Bill Barrows Janet Flowers Erin Shepherd

Annual Meeting Planning Committee Janet Flowers, Chair Robin Bedingfield-Brown Margaret Granberry Erin Shepherd Helen Swinford Mary Wiley

Membership Committee Robin Bedingfield-Brown, Chair

Proposed 2013 Budget Task Group Sandy Gerstner, Chair Janet Flowers Erin Shepherd Andrea Tullos, ex officio Tutor.com from p. 2  College Center: Tutors are available in more than 20 introductory college subjects including math, science, social studies, and English. College students also get access to free proofreading and writing help.

 Adult Education: Adults returning to school can work with an online tutor to brush up on critical skills, finish homework assignments, or review key concepts needed for class. Tutors also help adults preparing for the GED or other standardized tests.  Career Center: Work one-to-one with professional tutors in a supportive and encouraging environment for help with job searching, resume writing, interview preparation, and much more.

Each center includes real-time writing assistance from English tutors or career tutors for adults working on resumes. Students and job seekers get immediate feedback, writing tips and strategies as well as proofreading. Need help at midnight? No problem. Each center includes 24/7 access to thousands of resources including study guides, worksheets, videos and more in math, science, social studies, English, resume writing, GED prep, and citizenship exam prep. Tutor.com can be accessed from the library’s website at www.orangecountync.gov/ library.

Letter from Mayor Tom Stevens There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars that I have the good fortune of living in Hillsborough. The quality of life here in the heart of Orange County is everything one could wish for – a unique smalltown character surrounded by farms and countryside, yet nearby one finds all of the cultural and intellectual stimulation expected with proximity to some of the best universities on the planet. We have a fascinating history and a promising future. Opportunity abounds.

Many things contribute to the wonderful quality of life we enjoy here, and I would be remiss if I didn’t include our excellent public library as one of the outstanding features of what makes our community a great place to live.

Who is our library for? Everybody!

Young children. Our eldest seniors. And everybody in-between. Our library serves people of the most humble means, and those gifted with abundance of any measure. Our library belongs to all of us.

And what does our library do for us?

While the most obvious aspect of the library is a repository of books, our library is so much more. Our public library is an access gateway to boundless information and knowledge simply for the asking, whether by media housed at the facility or via Internet access. Whether you are seeking information to help you get a job, or looking for a great vacation read for the sheer pleasure of it, our library is there for you.

As mayor, one of the most gratifying duties I have is talking up the wonderful things about our community, and highlighting for citizens and visitors alike the places and people that fill us with pride and bring out our best. Our library is one of those valued and valuable assets, one that holds a special place in the fabric of our community for so many people. Kudos to the staff, volunteers, and Friends of the Orange County Public Library, who day after day make it so. Speaking on behalf of the Hillsborough community, thank you!

With warmest regards, Mayor Tom Stevens

Thank You to Our Members and Donors The FOCPL Board wants to extend its warmest thanks and appreciation to those listed here who have formally joined our organization in 2012. We are also very grateful for the generous $10,000 estate gift from Sandy Petersen.

Jarrett & Robin Barnhill Bill Barrows Don Basnight Carl and Susan Baumann Roberta Bergen Jonathon Blackwell Beverly A. and Wesley W.

Blythe Bridget Booher Karen Bowen Judy Brown Thomas L. and Robin C.

Brown James and Ann Burton Brian Butler Marcia Cameron Campbell Family Bill Cannon Charlie Carroll Barbara Caton Jason Cecil Jane A. Clark Faye Cleaton Candice Cobb Amy Cole Patricia Condon Callie and Bob Connor Brian and Jamie Crandell Nick and Jane Crandell Elaine Crovitz Bartow Culp Mary Marshall Culp Gina Cummins Peggy Currie Gabriel and Mary DesHarnais Gaston R. DesHarnais Dan Deter Stuart Dyer Henry Erenhaft Cheng Fan Matthew Farrelly Bess Fjiord Ed and Janet Flowers Kerri Forney Jane Gaede Stacey Gamble Patrick L. and Sandra L.

Gerstner Statler and Valerija Gilfillen Laura Glisson Ed Goad Barbara Davis Goldman Crauford and Nancy Goodwin Lori Graham Andrea Green Margaret Henderson Dennis Hermanson Chris Holaday Ginger Holler Hillary Hollinger Morgana Hover John Idol Cory Johnston Allison and Joel Knight Stephen Laird Dee Anne and Wilson Lamb Barry M. Lamont Sara Levinson Jacqueline Little Evelyn P. Lloyd Frank and Janet Lloyd John and Karen MacAulay Martha McMillan Michael Malone Jim and Kathy Manwaring Jean-Michel Margot Gloria Marsosudiro Visit our Web site at: www.co.orange.nc.us/library/friends.asp or pick up a membership brochure at the Library Become a Friend of the Orange County Public Library and you will make an important contribution to one of our county’s most vital educational and cultural assets. In return, you’ll also get:  The satisfaction of working with other like -annual book sales.  Email updates regarding library events, issues and news from our secure Friends listserv. Dues: Individual-$15; Family-$25; Donor-$50; Sustaining-$100 FOCLP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax deductible. Questions? Contact us at: FOCPL2012@gmail.com Elizabeth Matheson Anna Jean Mayhew Brian and Linden McDonald Brad and Michelle McKee Jan McKelvey Tommy and Gail McNeill Brian and Karen Mellendorf Rosetta Moore Jerry and Janie Morris Marguerite Most Carolyn Norris Kay Obenshain Janice Palmer Paul and Patti Parker Jim and Carolyn Parsley Piedmont Electric Membership Corp.

Deborah and Steve Piscitelli Mathew Pockney David Polewka Jessica Polito Ardith Pugh Penny Rand William and Gwenyth Reid Mark and Gina Rhoades John Ringland Edward Roush John and Alexandra Roberts Rachel Royce Rollin and Betsy Russell David Rzeszotarski Judy Schmid Jeff and Linda Schmitt Lynn Schmoock Erin Shepherd Ginger Sickbert Deborah Simmers Laura and Richard Simmons Carol Staton Tom Stevens Janice Stratton Shelly L. Swanhart Helen Swinford Ed Synowiez Jared Tabor Suzanne R. Taft Marvin Teer Anne Tordi Frank and Kathleen Tozzolina Janie Trumbull Thomas L. Utsey Jonna Vandenburg Susanne Vergara Andy and Barrie Wallace Lou and Nancy Walters Sandra Weakly Wendy Weaks Isabelle Webb Sharon W. Wheeler Sharon S. Whitmore Mary Wiley Johnny C. Wilkins Dustin and Stephanie Williams Judith E. Williams Ed Wise Gretchen Wolf Lisa Wolfe Peter H. Wood Elizabeth Woodman Xufang Ye Perry Young

If we have misspelled or overlooked anyone’s name, please contact Janet_Flowers@unc.edu.

-minded book and library lovers.  Early access to the bi  Ongoing or occasional volunteer opportunitie