Friends'
News -- Spring 2005
From the President's Desk
On Another Note - Apologies
Footnotes Archives
May Board Meeting
News from The Bottom Shelf,
Spring Book Sale and Holiday Treat Report
Recent Gifts to the Library
Welcome, New Friends
Martin Zwart's Bequest
Potpourri Programs and Book Discussion Groups
Adopt a Magazine
Common Grounds Cafe
Friends Board Members
Reading about the fate of so many libraries in the South Suburban region is a little like watching a tic-tac-toe game with the "X" squares clearly dominating. Because of increasing financial pressures, failing referendums, changing reading habits, and public apathy, some libraries are being forced to cut hours, cut staff, and even close their doors. However, other library districts are thriving and modernizing.
Many explanations exist for this wide range of area libraries' fortunes. Several of the criteria for a stable and prosperous library are a solid commercial tax base, land available for development, proactive support organizations, enthusiastic community patronage, and the existence of a good library. While we may not have the first two, Park Forest Public Library does certainly possess the other criteria.
This was dramatically apparent during the fall discussions on the future of the library. Weeks of meetings with community members, village officials, architects, and the Library Board helped to weigh the list of options and narrow our choices. Although the outcome was to put a hold on any redesign or redevelopment plans for this year, we still benefited as a community. In fact, these meetings brought to mind the early pioneers of the library, our original residents, who revered the library and envisioned it as a beacon for knowledge, ideas, opportunity, leisure, and entertainment.
We eagerly await the opportunity to keep this legacy alive and relish the chance to use these creative new pioneers who want to lead us into another legacy of our own. -- Frank Baecher
The Friends apologize to those members who received the recent notice
for the Spring Book Sale after March 5th.
Some even received the notice two or three weeks late. Although we
mailed flyers four weeks in advance, which had been sufficient time in
the past, the Park Forest Post Office's new procedures and security system
are causing delayed mail delivery of bulk mail. Therefore, we will be instituting
a calling system as a reminder of future book sales until this problem
is corrected. Again, our sincere apologies.
All past issues of FOOTNOTES have been collected in the archives of THE BOTTOM SHELF. In reviewing the issues, an error was detected in the volume numbering system. Beginning with this issue, the volume number has been corrected to reflect the number of years that FOOTNOTES has been published. The Friends’ newsletter began in the spring of 1985; this issue marks the beginning of its 21st year.
May Friends’ Board Meeting: Friends are welcome to attend the next Board Meeting at the Park Forest Public Library on May 18, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.
NEWS FROM . . .THE BOTTOM SHELF
SPRING BOOK SALE
The Lion's Share Spring Book Sale was a "wildly" successful two-day event. Hundreds of book-loving bargain hunters spent time looking for treasures, books filled with information, and books that tell stories. Thousands of items were sold. Always a community event, the book sale committee is amazed at the distance buyers come to browse and purchase. Buyers travel from several states for the Park Forest sales. Conversations about books and families, politics and health, abound all day.
Book sorting is a year round project; volumes are categorized and shelved by the Moles on a weekly basis. This winter extra help was given by two new young volunteers, Marsha Brown and Antione Gross. The sale would be much diminished without these steady and dedicated workers. In addition, so many dedicated volunteers provide hours of help over the weekend, providing information, tidying, cashiering. The library staff is infinitely patient and good-humored during the sale hours.
The book sale profits (run almost entirely without expense) added well
over three thousand dollars to the library's budget. Watch for the autumn
book sale dates; meanwhile, shop the book cart in the library's lobby,
an ever-changing display of books and more. Donations of books, puzzles,
recorded materials, and magazines are welcome year round . . . just never
on Sunday.
- Helene Cox, Book Sale Chairperson
HOLIDAY TREAT REPORT
On the first Saturday in December, the library was energized by a bake sale, goodies provided by talented local cooks, a concert by Beverly Myrow's talented HARP ANGELS, a mini-book sale, pecans for holiday baking, and a raffle with prizes of all kinds. Over two thousand dollars was raised for the library. Most importantly, the day provided ample opportunity for good will, smiles, conversation, music, holiday decorations and fragrance.
This day would not have been successful without our volunteer friends.
Thanks to everyone who participated.
-- Helene Cox
Recent Gifts to the Library (January 2005 - March 2005)
At the March Friends' Board meeting, members approved new purchases for the library. For the Family Technology Center, the Friends purchased air filters, new chalkboards, and a book display rack for family and parenting books. The Friends also purchased a new table and chair set for the teen area and also wireless microphones and speakers for public presentations. These funds were obtained from membership dues, pecan sales, book-lover calendar sales, and the holiday bake sale. The Friends continue to support the library by purchasing items that are not in the capital outlay budget.
Welcome, New Friends
We cordially welcome our new Friends. Volunteer opportunities exist
to assist with book sorting, book sales, and supporting library programs.
Bettie Anderson
Derrick Allison
Laura Cassil
Carley Demchuk
Kim Karrson
Rich Klimas
Theresa Markoff
Curtis Moleterno
James Presse
Jonathan Sachs
B. Temeck
Rich Whittington
A Friend's Generosity - Martin Zwart
The Friends gratefully acknowledge the generous bequest of Martin Zwart, Park Forest resident, who died in the fall of 2004. Mr. Zwart willed his entire extensive library of fine volumes to the Park Forest Public Library. Mr. Zwart, an avid reader and longtime friend of the library, had amassed a wonderful personal collection of books on a wide variety of subjects. His wide variety of books, numbering in the thousands, will be available for sale at the annual Fall Book Sale, date to be announced in the summer issue of FOOTNOTES.
"`Tis the good reader that makes the good book. . .in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakably meant for him." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Potpourri of Lectures - Spring 2005
April 7: What's Good about the French? Dianne Hradek
April 14: Cinematic Messages. Dr. Deborah Holdstein
April 21: Verbal Musings & Meanderings. Lois Dion
April 28: Fractional Fun. Mary Schoenheider
May 5: Minoan Crete. Michael Devine
Bring your friends to these interesting lectures on Thursday mornings
at 10:30 a.m. in the Ringering Room.
Refreshments will be served!
Cultures Club -- Third Wednesday evening of the month, January through June. One country, civilization, or culture will be discussed each month. Call the library at 748-3731 or email pfs@sslic.net to reserve a spot. There is no fee.
Book Discussion Group
April 25: Reading Lolita in Tehran, by Azar Nafisi
May 23: Inside the Kingdom, by Carman Bin Ladin
12:00 p.m. in Ringering Room. The book being discussed is available
at the library 3 weeks prior to the discussion.
ADOPT A MAGAZINE
The library is reviving its Adopt a Magazine program. An individual,
a family, or a group can adopt a magazine for the library. If you would
like to adopt a magazine, please contact Deborah Hampton at 748-3731.
COMMON GROUNDS
Our new café is now open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00
noon as well as Monday and Wednesday mornings at the same time. Call the
library if you wish to volunteer.
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, Dorothy Emry
Proofreader: Lisa McGoldrick
Friends' Webmaster: Elaine Brownlee
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Friends of the Park Forest Public Library