(From the February 2018 Circle of Friends Newsletter)
I am extremely grateful to the many Friends and volunteers who have offered advice, encouragement and support, as I begin my term as President of the Friends. I am especially thankful for the helpful information shared by out-going President Roger Caswell, and by former Presidents Jane Kraut and Ned Lyke. I am learning more every day and look forward to a positive, rewarding experience.
We currently have several opportunities for new volunteers, including working in the BookStore. There are a few openings for regular bookstore shifts. We are also looking for two or three volunteers to work on a Publicity and Communications Committee, as we try to make the role of the Friends more visible in the community and to increase our membership. If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact me or any member of the Board.
Our December Book Sale was a great success! We made over $4000 in one weekend! The gift quality books sold well, and many Friends renewed their memberships for the coming year. If you have not yet renewed, now is the time to do so! Stop by the BookStore any time it is open to renew your membership. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to become members of the Friends as well. Our all-volunteer organization funds and supports so many wonderful programs that our terrific Castro Valley Library offers to our community!
One new program we’re all excited about is Castro Valley Reads! Everyone in Castro Valley is encouraged to read the same book and then to come together in small groups to discuss it. This year, for the first Castro Valley Reads!, we are reading Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. All who attended the Kick-Off Event January 21 and signed up for a discussion group received a free copy of the book and may have an opportunity to meet the author, thanks to funding supplied by the Friends of the Castro Valley Library. (If you missed the kick -off event, you can still join the program—contact the Library for information.)
Another new program that we support is Bookleggers, a group of trained volunteers who visit elementary classrooms throughout Castro Valley to promote reading and to encourage students to visit the library. Several Friends members and volunteers (myself included) are active Bookleggers, and we are thoroughly enjoying our experience. A second group of Bookleggers will be trained this year. If you’re interested, check with the Chris Selig of the Library staff for dates.
Kay Wetherwax, President
Friends of the Castro Valley Library