Fall
Book Sale!
Fall
Book Sale!
Saturday, October 2, 2004
7:30-10 a.m. for members (memberships available or renewable at
the door)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for the public
Sunday, October 3, 2004
Bag Sale - $3.00 per bag
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
See You There!
SUMMER ISSUE 2004 NEWS
(Click on the Links below for faster access
to the articles.)
From the Desk of the President
From the Administrative
Librarian
Best Book Sale Ever: Leap Year Book
Sale Results
More Book Sale News
Money Matters
New and Improved Large Print Area
The Book By My Bedside
Farmers' Market Book Sales
Youth Services - Summer Reading Club
Books on Display
Friends' Board Members
From the Desk of the President ...
Reading, as any parent knows, is one of the most difficult skills for children to learn. If the child is fortunate, he will grasp all of the essential tasks and be able to read and comprehend by age ten. If, however, he has any kind of learning deficits, the tasks become more difficult. As a result, resistance to and lack of motivation for reading begins. The Park Forest Library Children's Summer Reading Program is one way that the library encourages reading during the summer. Children are encouraged to set goals for how many books they will read. In addition, they have the opportunity to participate in many rewarding programs during the summer.
There are some children who do not entertain the thought of even picking up a book. Motivating non-readers and reluctant readers during the summer and throughout the year becomes the responsibility of parents, guardians, grandparents, etc. There is no better time to begin a reading plan than during the summer. Reading specialists recommend that anyone who wishes to help children pursue a reading goal should include the following elements in their plan.
• Let your children see you reading.
• Have books and reading materials readily available.
• Turn off TV, computer, and video games.
• Plan regular visits to the library.
• Make a scrapbook of new and interesting words.
• Above all, read to your child and with your child.
When you visit the library, watch your child as he browses the room to discover his interests. Ask the staff for suggestions of books that are written at your child's reading level. For very young children, look at first word dictionaries, rhyming books, books on tape, wordless picture books, CDs that put sounds to music, and computer reading games. Keep these sessions positive, fun, and consistent.
For beginning readers, there are numerous easy-to-read picture books in which the story is clearly told by pictures and simple sentences that introduce new words.
Read these books with your child and encourage him to pronounce, learn, and practice the new words. For older readers, the library has many lists and pamphlets of books for young to young adult readers. You can also find lists of award-winning books as well as those for reluctant readers.
There is a psychological war going on for your child's mind. Will the media game boys and TV win out, or will your child learn the pleasures of reading? Even better, can you help your child achieve a balance between these competing activities? Whatever the outcome of your summer program, you will have taken a step toward the goals of helping your child to become a lifelong reader.
-- Frank Baecher, President of the Friends
From the Administrative Librarian . . .
The library is grateful for the Friends' contributions to the Family Technology Center. Through matching dollars, the Friends raised and contributed $2,114.00 for furnishings and supplies. Both rooms of the center offer families access to computers and other technology, provide a comfortable setting, and foster positive reinforcement for time spent in the library. Each room is individually decorated based upon inspiring artwork in children's books. One room is inspired by local author/illustrator Jan Spivey Gilchrist, and the other room is designed using the animal characters in author/ illustrator Kevin Henkes' books. Stop in to see these rooms--you will be delightfully surprised.
I hope that the Family Technology Center will encourage children in our communities to discover and develop talents of their own and begin to understand that the library is a family-friendly destination and place for discovery.
--Barbara Byrne Osuch, Administrative Librarian
The most successful book sale ever held by the Friends of the Library closed out Leap Year February. Nearly five thousand dollars worth of books, magazines, and recorded materials were sold during the weekend event. The early morning opening suited local and long-distance members as well as interested used book dealers.
Seeing the large Saturday crowds for the main sale day and many more for the Sunday bag sale afternoon was satisfying to the book sale committee and to the weekend volunteers. The year-round book sorters, making good use of the additional shelving, sorted, organized, and shelved carefully, making shopping easier. They are a dedicated and innovative lot: Jason Chong, Gretna Connor, Melinda Geist, Judy Gleitsman, Lois Hinde, Dora Holly, Evie Loke, Susan McGoldrick, Maria Mitchell, Dean Oedzes, Don Struck, and Justine Wheeler.
Equally dedicated, committed, astute, and spirited were the weekend cashiers, helpers, and book haulers. Special thanks to Will Brown who has been a helper at book sales for several years. Now a high school junior, we wonder how we ever managed without his strong back, fine mind, and cheerful attitude. The library staff dealt with the extra confusion and disruption with grace and good humor.
The many books, improved lighting, expanded shelves, good weather, and
of course, the enthusiastic book lovers contributed to a wonderful sale
and added needed funds to the library's budget.
-- Helene Cox, Book Sale Chair
The Bottom Shelf
Our basement book sale area has been officially named The Bottom
Shelf. Administrative Librarian Barbara Byrne Osuch held a contest
among the library staff to name our newly-lighted, expanded, and improved
sale area. The staff submitted wonderfully creative names such as The Literary
Lair, Bargains Below, and Hidden Treasures. The total list of thirty names
was submitted to the Friends' Board at their March meeting. Karen Blackful's
entry was the winner; she was awarded a gift certificate for the winning
name.
Neighborly Donations
Both Governors State University and South Suburban College were recipients
of some of our extra books that were not sold at our Leap Year Sale. So
many generous people have contributed an amazing amount of books throughout
the year that we had run out of room. Each volunteer spent several hours
packing unsold and duplicate books. Both GSU and SSC were thrilled to have
more books to sell at their own used book sales. Now we have space for
more wonderful donations which we will be sorting and shelving for our
next big sale on October 2nd.
How are the proceeds from the book sales used? What do the Friends do with the money from the membership dues and the annual raffle and bake sale? As members of this non-profit organization, you should be aware of how our funds are distributed.
First, all the money from book sales and the book cart goes directly into the library's budget under the line item for book sales. Due to your generous donation of books and your participation at our book sales, each sale is becoming more profitable. In addition, our book cart sales are increasing. Book cart sales average around $500.00 per month. Also last summer, Farmers' Market sales totaled approximately $600.00. All book sale money is spent on new books for the library.
The Friends' budget is comprised of annual membership fees; the sale of book bags, t-shirts, mugs, note cards, pecans, and calendars; and proceeds from our annual holiday bake sale and raffle. The Friends' Board, in consultation with the administrative librarian, uses these funds in two basic ways. One is to help support library programs such as the Book Discussion Group, Potpourri lectures, and the Children's Summer Reading Activities. The other is to purchase items for the library that are not covered within the library's capital expense budget. Recent examples of items purchased for the library are computer monitors, tables for the Ringering Room, matching dollars for Family Technology Center, and lighting for The Bottom Shelf.
All of this could not be accomplished without your continued support
which has been invaluable in helping to make our library one of the best
in the Chicagoland area.
-- Friends' Board
New and Improved Area for Large Print
Fiction, Magazines,
and an Aladdin Rainbow Magnifying Machine.
Large print fiction books have recently been moved from the alcove in the east window to the north end of the fiction room in the area surrounding the fireplace. Patrons will now have more room to browse and to read in the comfortable lounge furniture. Also available in this area is an assortment of large print magazines and other literature.
An addition to our larger print area is a new reading aid. The family of Richard Speaker has generously donated an Aladdin Rainbow Magnifying Machine.
This device enlarges print and displays it on a color monitor as black on white, white on black, yellow on blue, green on black or yellow on black. Patrons may use this machine free of charge to read small print on prescriptions, to write checks, to read mail, or to enlarge any print for easy reading.
Ask for a demonstration the next time that you visit the library.
-- Karen Blackful
Getting it Right by William F. Buckley Jr.
A rollicking and revealing novel about the
early days of the conservative movement. Getting it Right has all the Buckley
trademarks - wit, passion, and a heady view of political life. Thoroughly
enjoyable! -- Dean Oedzes
Posterity: Letters of Famous Americans to Their Children
edited by Dorie McCullough Lawson
This recently published collection of letters
is my most recent bedside choice. This beautifully composed collection
of letters illuminates the lives of 68 famous Americans, including Ansel
Adams, Moe Howard, Groucho Marx, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Ann Bradstreet,
Jack London, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Theodore Roosevelt. Expressed in
their own words and times, and seen through the eyes of their children,
these letters offer fascinating glimpses into the hearts and minds of admired
Americans and humble parents. This anthology raises some interesting questions
about the lost art of letter writing, and the absence of letters as historical
documentation of our own times. In this day of e-mail and instant messaging,
we often don't take the time to write a longhand letter. What will future
generations have to reference in order to learn more about us, who we were,
and what we thought? Make time this summer to write letters to friends
and loved ones. -- Barbara Byrne Osuch
*Do you want to become a published book reviewer? Share a favorite book or author with all of your Friends by e-mailing your review to the editor at swmgold@hotmail.com Deadline is September 15, 2005 for the fall issue.
Want to take a few books along on your travels this summer? Need some new fresh fruit and vegetable recipes? Pick up some super bargains at the Park Forest Farmers' Market on the following Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the corner of Orchard and Indianwood.
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 2
Mark your calendars now!
Summer Reading Club
Reach for the World
Pick up a program brochure and reading packet at the Youth Services
desk.
Special summertime programs throughout June and July!
Contact Golam Gibreah, Director of Youth Services, 708-748-3731
Look for some of the books that have been reviewed in recent issues of footnotes; they will be featured in the library. Have a wonderful summer!
President: Frank Baecher
Vice-President:
Secretary: Melinda Geist
Treasurer: Mitchell Cox
Book Sales: Helene Cox
Hospitality: Susan McGoldrick
Board Members At Large: Beverly Myrow,
Mary Krachey, Alice Racher
Administrative Librarian: Barbara Byrne Osuch
PFPL Bd. Liaison: Alice Racher
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
FRIENDS ONLINE: http://www.lincolnnet.net/friends/
LIBRARY ONLINE: http://www.pfpl.org/