Winter 2021 Newsletter
President’s Message

A wise person once said, “The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” This wise person was Socrates. The quote has definitely defined our Rocklin Friends of the Library and Placer County Library staff during 2020. The Covid has caused both organizations to successfully reinvent themselves through all the restrictive requirements. The creation of alternative ways to service our library community has resulted in new ways to offer library services and reaching our community members. Some of the new ways resulting from all the lockdowns have improved what was being offered by both. 

The Board of the Rocklin Friends has kept in touch through Zoom meetings for the majority of 2020. Although a lot of our programs have been cancelled due to Covid, we have not given up on how to reach our members. Once it is safe to return to the library, looking like September possibly, we will be offering Babies First Book, Birthday Club, and reopening the book sale room. We held our 3rd annual Rocklin Reads program successfully through the Zoom approach last fall and are starting to work on this years programing. Unfortunately we will not be offering eBay sales in 2021. Our Rocklin Community Forum will be offered through Zoom. Our first quarter panelists will be Jill Gayaldo, Rocklin City Mayor, and Aly Zimmermann, Rocklin City Manager. Look to our website (rocklinfriends.org) for more information on what is happening with the Friends in 2021.

The Placer County Library is offering winter programs. Be sure to read on in the newsletter for these coming program offerings. 

As mentioned in the membership letter at the end of 2020, we will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Rocklin Library on Granite Drive. A huge thanks to those dedicated women who used time and talent to create this library facility for the Rocklin community. It was also not possible without the support of the City of Rocklin and Placer County. 

Although I am a past president, I am looking forward to being president in 2021. Our immediate past president Michele Vass has done a remarkable job bringing new programs and ideas to our organization. We appreciate all her hard work! Also, a special thank you to Eve Wise for keeping our book sales alive on eBay in 2020.

Below is the 2021 meeting schedule. We will meet at 10:00 am and on Zoom until further notice. Mark your calendars! 
June 8
September 14
November 9
December 14

Looking forward to an interesting 2021! Stay connected!

Getta Dolinsek
President 
Covid Comfort offered

The Rocklin Friends of the Library are now offering Covid Comfort bags. For a $10 donation, we can provide you with a bag of books (5 hardbacks or 10 paperbacks) in your desired genre. Currently, we can offer bags filled with fiction, non-fiction, gardening, science fiction, mystery, classics or biography. Just name your desired genre, pay via Venmo or at time of pick up. To purchase a bag of Covid Comfort or for more information, send an email to Gloria Beverage at rocklinfol@yahoo.com.
We'd like to introduce you to Rocklin resident Michelle Sutherland! She is our newly appointed member of the Placer County Library Advisory Board for District 3. Michelle is a mom to 3 young girls and is active in their schools. She also serves Rocklin as a Community Recognition Commissioner.
We also want to thank Rocklin resident Trevor Vass for his service on the Placer County Library Advisory Board. Trevor just finished a 4 year term representing District 3. During his time on the board, Trevor served as Chairman and worked with Library Administration on their new Strategic Plan. We appreciate your advocacy on behalf of the patrons of the Rocklin and Penryn libraries.
Celebrating 10 Years!
By Carol Peterson

As we wish Rocklin Library Happy 10th Anniversary at the new location on Granite Drive, we think about what it took to have this wonderful community facility. There has been a Rocklin Branch of the Placer County Library since 1943. First located in the Old City Hall and later in the building across the street.

In 1982, fundraising started for building a new library on 5th Street and the Friends of the Library was formed under the leadership of librarian Mary Emily Smith. Active members included Louise Cullen, Irene Rohde, and Sandra Davies. Kick off for this fundraising was a pie social and the publishing of the Rocklin history book by Leonard Davis. Federal funds administered by the State, County, City and Friends of the Library built the library. Friends funded the landscaping and added many books to the collection.
An expansion of the 5th Street library was completed in 1995 with the 25th anniversary celebrated as we prepared to move to the new library on Granite Drive. 

The Friends held book sales and fundraising dinners to put money into a building fund for the new library. The City of Rocklin redevelopment agency purchased the building on Granite Drive and Placer County funded the renovation of the building. Friends funded the landscaping, which the City of Rocklin maintains. The group also provided $20,000 for new books at opening and continues to provide funds for new materials each year.

Friends of the Library provided leadership in gaining community support for the library and advocated with City of Rocklin and Placer County for support so that we have this special place in our community.

This year has seen the library closed because of the virus, but materials are still available as an important service to our community. We look forward in 2021 to being able to visit our library. 
Placer County Library News

For our Winter 2021 session of “Connect with Your Library” the Placer County Library will be offering:
 
Placer County Library Virtual Book Club (2 sessions per month)
                Community members are invited to meet up with other book lovers across Placer County!
               Virtual Book Club meetings take place over Zoom on the First Wednesday of the Month at 11:00am and the Third Wednesday of the Month at 6:00pm.
Choose a session based on what time works better or what book sounds most intriguing. We offer a variety of times and book selections to fit the lifestyle of our community members.
To see the schedule and register for a book club session, go to www.placervirtualbookclub.eventbrite.com
 
Little Learners STAR Zoo!
               Starting Jan. 18th, follow along every week for a new round of the Little Learner’s STAR challenge, this time all about Zoo animals!!
               Young children (0-6) and their families are invited to reconnect with their children’s library staff every week with a Story, Tip, Activity, and Rhyme! (S.T.A.R.)
                                Story of the Week – Stories shared through a book, felt, or puppets to encourage a love of reading
                                Tip of the Week – Weekly tips to help parents guide their child through their early literacy journey
                                Activity of the Week – Activities to reinforcer early literacy skills and exercise motor movements
                                Rhyme of the Week – Rhymes and songs to practice the rhythm and sounds of language
               Each week will feature a new Zoo animal!!
               Follow along on our social media, or website. Or register at https://placer.beanstack.org to earn weekly digital badges as you enjoy the storytime videos and activities!
We need your used
children's books!

The Friends need donations of gently used children's books to fill our local Little Free Libraries.
During the pandemic, our Little Free Libraries have been used so frequently that we have run out of children's books to restock them with. Please email Michele Vass to arrange your donation today! - Michele@est2003.com