From the President's Desk...
I am always amazed at the ability of libraries to make me think differently. This latest epiphany came during a visit to Washington D.C. where I went to play, read, and re-connect with my grandkids.
After playing outside on a hot, humid day, they suggested a visit to the cool library. How attractive this modest city library was decorated; books, videos, tapes were all neatly displayed, begging to be examined. I was reminded of our own huge, sun-lit and overflowing children's section and the friendly knowledgeable staff to assist patrons.
After we chose a book on the latest "Star Wars" episode, "Revenge of the Sith," I began to notice how culturally aware this generation is. I learned how Darth Vader turned to the dark side and why his son avenged him in the end.
How could I pass up the opportunity to overcome my resistance to reading any Harry Potter books after listening to a tape of it with the grandkids? What better way to reinforce a child's reading than by listening to a story together? It took me back to my childhood days when listening to the stories on radio was the only form of family entertainment.
No visit to the library is complete without checking on the latest parenting and school-related matters. The few I checked on were readable and helpful: A Mind at a Time, by Mel Levine; Kids, Parents and Power Struggles, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka; Quirky Kids by Eileen Costello; The Explosive Child, by Ross Green; and Improving Early Literacy, by Wilma Miller.
If you are looking for a place to go, conserve gas and have a warm spot to visit with your little ones, explore the multi-media way to learn together at your local library.
Remember, you are welcome to attend the Friends' next Board meeting
on Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 p.m.
-- Frank Baecher
News From...The
Bottom Shelf
Awesome Anniversary Book Sale
The autumn book sale, celebrating thirty years of such offerings,
was a colossal success. The selection of books and recorded materials
was
outstanding, and the addition of Martin Zwart’s bequest of art books
increased the interest of art lovers. The combination of quality
materials,
and eager buyers resulted in happy book buyers. The sale contributed
$5900 for library purchases, the highest amount of any sale ever.
Success could not happen without donations from patrons, without
the dedicated volunteers who work at the book sales, without the cooperation
of
library staff, and certainly, without the year round book sorters,
the “moles”. Those energetic, devoted workers are Ellen Eads,
Melinda Geist,
Homer Heagley, Lois Hinde, Dora Holly, Susan McGoldrick, Dean Oedzes,
Don Struck, and Justine Wheeler. John Ray sorted and readied the
Zwart art books for sale in masterful fashion. Will Brown
provided overtime efforts in a variety of tasks over the weekend.
Karen Blackful
filled in over and above the call of volunteerism. Mitchell Cox,
with help from Adam Cox, kept perfect track of the money, acted as
troubleshooter, and hauled books. To all of these people, and those
unnamed, thanks and thanks again. It was a satisfying weekend for
all involved.
Donations of books, recorded material, magazines, and puzzles are
welcomed year round, just never on Sunday.
-- Helene Cox
Park Forest Public Library's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Fifty Years of Creating Readers
November 4, 5 & 6
Friday: Fundraiser: Silent Auction and Evening
Reception
Saturday: History Overview-view scrapbooks from
the past 50 years
Sunday: Community reception and rededication of
the library
Helene Cox: Book Chair Extraordinaire
It seems an exaggeration: one full-time volunteer coordinating successful book sales for 20 years. Yet it's no. Helene Cox has unassumingly taken on this gargantuan task with good humor, wit, loads of energy, and enthusiasm. Recently, shock waves reverberated in the library community when she announced her retirement as book chair for the Friends of the PFPL. Helene will still be volunteering at The Bottom Shelf, sorting and shelving, but will no longer be at the helm. What a great gap she leaves.
So while the Friends contemplate the future, Helene finally has time for some much-needed rest and reflection, beginning most appropriately, with Rosh Hashanah. However, we never see Helene at rest. Rather, she is busy with one of her many interests: reading, going to plays, traveling, walking, visiting friends and relatives, crafting, sewing, cooking and baking. Anything she attempts, she can do.
How did she take on this task 20 years ago? Originally, she volunteered for the library in the early '70's when she and her husband, Harold, moved to Park Forest from Hyde Park with their young children. She and her husband, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, sustained The Friends of the PFPL for many years. Helene's enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication to the library eventually earned her the position of book sale chair. However, Helene downplays the promotion: "In 1985, when Jo Maeyama went on vacation, I became the book chair by default." At first, Helene worked in cooperation with library staff in Tech Services. But by the early '90's, Helene had taken the lead on all the book sale tasks some of which include donations, special events, head of volunteers, sorting, recycling, publicity, liaison to the staff, etc.
In addition to that, in recent years, Helene has been the driving force behind expansion of the book sale area from the original, crowded basement lobby of ITC to a much more expansive, better-organized, permanent book-sale location now known as The Bottom Shelf. Accomplishing those many tasks meant 6-day-a-week, year-round dedication to the library.
Helene is quick to credit her family and the stalwart corps of volunteers
who have supported the library over the years. However, her boundless energy
and enthusiastic leadership have made a huge, unforgettable legacy for
the Friends and for the Library which will be treasured always. Thank you,
Helene!
-- Susan McGoldrick
FRIENDS' HOLIDAY TREAT: Saturday, December 3, 2005
Mark your calendar for the Friends' annual event. Ushering in the holiday season, the Friends will hold a bake sale, featuring treats donated by local bakers, a mini-book sale - mini only in the hours the sale is open - and the celestial Harp Angels, Beverly Myrow's young musicians. And rumor has it that Santa Claus will drop by during the afternoon.
The popular pecans, Library Nuts, will be available again, plain ones, and three varieties of flavored pecans. All are eight dollars a bag, the latter are excellent for gifts as well as for snacking.
The festivities are between 10 am and 3 pm. Please attend. (Please...donate a treat to sell, if you can.) More information? Phone the library at 708-748-3731.
The Friends need a few more book lovers willing to help with book sorting and shelving, book sales, and special events. We welcome your help. Join us any Tuesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon, or call the library at 708-748-3731
Fall 2005 Potpourri
of Lectures
Thursday Mornings - 10:30 a.m in the Ringering Room
This fall marks the 31st year of on-going lectures free to the public on a wide variety of topics. The pioneers, Priscilla Rockwell and Gail Bauman, brought the idea to Neal Ney in 1984, who declared it a success from the beginning. The founders, two extraordinary women, knew interesting and educated people who gave fascinating lectures on a variety of topics. During the past 30 years, other women, most notably Jean Bernstein, helped schedule the programs.
Over the years audiences have been informed about cultures from all over the world, they have been entertained by musicians and dramatists, they have examined the lives of artists, authors, and politicians, and they have been informed about topical subjects, national, and local issues.
The Potpourri pioneers have decided to retire, but have empowered
the library to continue to offer this quality series for years to come.
They have left us: with a great legacy, high expectations and good will
created over the years. With their continued support, the library can sustain
their vision of free programs of "instruction and delight." To
view the current schedule, click here. Or call the libraryat 708-748-3731
-- Karen Blackful, Community Services
Coordinator
BOOK DISCUSSION
GROUP - 2005
Fourth Monday of the month, 12 noon in the Ringering Room
October 24, Truth and Beauty: A Friendship, by Ann Patchett
November 21, Skeletons on the Zahara, by Dean King
Books are available in the library 3 weeks prior to the discussion
date.
President: Frank Baecher
Vice-President: George Manno
Secretary: Melinda Geist
Treasurer: Mitchell Cox
Book Sales: Helene Cox
Hospitality: Susan McGoldrick
Board Members At Large: Beverly Myrow,
Mary Krachey, Alice Racher
FRIENDS ONLINE: http://www.lincolnnet.net/friends/
LIBRARY ONLINE: http://www.pfpl.org/
Administrative Librarian: Barbara Byrne Osuch
PFPL Bd. Liaison: Joan Larsen
OFPL Bd. Liaison: Corine Hawthorne, Joan Braden
footnotes
Editor: Susan McGoldrick
Contributing Editors: Joan Larsen, Alice Racher,
Frank Baecher, Helene Cox
Proofreader: Lisa McGoldrick
Friends' Webmaster: Elaine Brownlee