Mission Statement

The mission of the Friends of the Atascadero Library is to support, promote and expand the library's resources and programs. 


Newsletter November-December 2015
In This Issue...

President's Message
Linda Zirk 
 
Update from Vice President and
Dancing With Our Stars Chair
Jeannie Malik

Library Art Programs
Eileen O'Grady

Library Bookstore Update
Alice Rew

Librarian's Message
Joe Laurenzi

Upcoming Events and Funny Pages

   Friends of the Atascadero Library showcased Volunteers, Board members, Staff and Dancing With Our Stars Dancers--past and current--in this year's Colony Days Parade in October.  Here, Friends of the Library volunteer Anne Harris along with her furry friend, Captain the Therapy Dog, and safari-clad float partner James Donague ride on the FOAL Jungle Book-themed entry.
President's Message
Linda Zirk
 
A TALE OF TWO CITY LIBRARIES
 
During a recent family trip to Washington State, I found time to visit two city libraries - Seattle Central Public Library and 
Port Townsend Library.
 
The Seattle Central Public Library (pictured right) is huge! With its glass and odd angles this 11-story building does not look like a library from the outside - a Museum of Modern Art comes to mind. Inside, however it stays true to its function of Library Services. The Library covers an entire square city block between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue - on the side of one of Seattle's hills. This means there are two entrances - the 1st floor on 4th Ave. and the 3rd floor on 5th Ave. The Library is a destination for tourists on walking tours of the city - as well as patrons looking for information.
 
Each floor is given over to a specific use - for instance the 1st floor contains a Language Lab with books in languages from Albanian to Vietnamese, and the Childrens Center with its own stroller parking section, and separate child-friendly bathrooms!  The 3rd floor is called the Living Room with plenty of comfy seating and electronic hookups (Wi-fi is free, of course).  This is the place to go for adult fiction - and a great teen area with dedicated computers and board games. The FriendsShop is located by the entrance where one can browse used books for sale, as well as a full selection of notecards, jigsaw puzzles, silk scarves - and umbrellas in case there is a downpour of Seattle rain! If it does rain, a cup of Seattle coffee is available at the Chocolati Coffee Shop beside the FriendsShop. 

Going up to the 5th floor, it is possible to view Escalator Art - eerie faces projected onto holes in the wall...The 5th floor is where patrons can get answers to simple questions or do in-depth research. All library staff are connected via wireless devices so information is instantaneous - and a dumbwaiter brings books and materials from the book spiral located on floors 6-9. Book spiral is a continuous ramp that winds through these four floors with the Dewey decimal numbers located on rubber mats along the ramp so one doesn't get lost!  Floor 10 is the Reading Room and Seattle Room, which contains historical information about Seattle's past.  The Genealogy section on floor 9 was able to provide Tom with newspaper articles about his grandparents--something he had not known before!
 
Port Townsend (shown just above) is just a short ferry ride across Puget Sound - it is also one of the oldest settlements in Washington State and honors its history by continuing to house its Library in the original Carnegie Library building. Built on a bluff overlooking the harbor, the Library is painted white and stands out as a community meeting space.
 
Continue article, click here 
Vice President and "Atascadero's Dancing With Our Stars" Event Chair's Message
Jeannie Malik
 
Friends of the Atascadero Library has certainly arrived in this community. With its success of contributing two million dollars to build a new library, producing a signature community event, and recently winning top honors for their float entry in the annual Atascadero Colony Days Parade, FOAL has established its presence and earned the respect of the community.
 
The float construction crew of library volunteers applauds Christina Troxel, who was at the helm of the float project. Christina created a three-dimensional model of the float, purchased materials necessary and then led the multi-weekend construction effort with over 25 volunteers donating their time and expertise. The parade float was titled, "Atascadero Library Volunteers Bringing Books to Life!"  Riding on the main portion of the Jungle Book themed float were James Donague, Anne Harris and Anne's therapy dog, Captain, namesake for Captain's Corner at the library. Also on the float, clinging to palm trees, were Jim Patterson, donning a bear costume and Sharon Turner dressed as a tiger. The back of the float (pictured above) showcased Atascadero's Dancing with Our Stars 2016 theme "Musical Movie Magic" and event dates March 18th and 19th along with show Director Frank Sanchez in era-appropriate director costume and me, Jeannie Malik (Event Coordinator) in my full Mae West regalia!  Some people have "blonde" moments, but I had a whole day to bask in my alter ego! Past community stars, current 2016 stars and choreographers danced behind the float to Jungle Book tunes carrying stars noting their participation years. It took more than the "Bare Necessities" to pull off the award winning float, but discussion has ensued already on next year's entry. 


2016 Atascadero's Dancing with Our Stars 
Community Stars and Choreographers:
Left to Right- Choreographer Brian Reeves, Community Star County Supervisor
Debbie Arnold, Choreographer Chris Harmon, Community Star Marnie Perry,
Community Star Greg Glasmeier, Choreographer Tirza DeGarmo, Community Star
Dennis Billings, Choreographer Christina Troxel, 
Show Director Frank Sanchez, Community Star Mary Kay Mills, 
Choreographer Ernie Gamble,
Choreographer Sharon Davis, Community Star Drew Lewis, 
Community Star Barb Kennedy, Choreographer Dan Davis, Choreographer Jocelyn Willis and Community Star Michael Bartlett


Library Art News
Submitted by 
Eileen O'Grady

Upcoming show featuring George Asdel 
Painter, Illustrator, Printmaker, Poet
 
George Asdel is an artist, illustrator, teacher and award-winning poet who has done at least 19 art projects for the children and adults of Atascadero.  Among them is teaching drawing at the Charles Paddock Zoo.  He designed the walkway mural around the Carlton Hotel and the logo for the E.C.H.O. homeless shelter. Asdel's art and poetry are mostly whimsical of people and animals interrelating with more serious art and poems themed on saving the planet.  He will post the poems that accompany the art.  A reception to open the show and honor the artist will be held on December 1 at the Library.  

Asdel and his wife Kathie have had galleries in Newfoundland and Pismo Beach.  Currently, his art is at The Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay and you can search his name on the internet.

Contact [email protected] for more information regarding events or submissions.


Librarian's Message
Joe Laurenzi, MLS 
Regional Librarian, North County
 



Alice Rew, Alice's Bookstore Manager (and namesake) has a great idea for a unique holiday gift:  A $25.00 donation will buy a book for the library!  You can specify a subject and the librarian will select a title to augment the collection.  A personalized bookplate will acknowledge your gift--a great way to honor or memorialize a special person and support the library at the same time.

Also, there are GREAT deals on previously owned books at Alice's Bookstore, all genres including the stories kids love to read (some recent finds shown above).  All at very low prices and 
most in like new condition!  
Funny Pages!

FRIENDS OF THE ATASCADERO LIBRARY 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

President--Linda Zirk

Vice President--Jeannie Malik

Recording Secretary--Susie Blackwell

Corresponding Secretary--Carol Gobler

Treasurer--Shirley Summers

Past President--Robert Alberti

Members-- Grenda Ernst, Liz Helgerson, Christina Lefevre Latner, Leigh Livick, Jim Patterson, Linda Persons, Marguerite Kelly-Pulley, Alice Rew, Sharon Turner

Webmaster--Tom Thompson  [email protected]

Newsletter/Social Media Coordinator--Deborah Cash  [email protected]









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Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 561, 
 Atascadero, CA  93423