November 2021 Newsletter | Friends of the Library

From Our President

Finally! It's Fall of 2021 and the Texas heat has dissipated for the time being. Along with the cooler weather, comes the anticipation of the Holiday Season. Thanksgiving to the New Year is my favorite time of the year. We all count our blessings, spend time with family making memories, and appreciate them all again and again.

Friends' meetings are back on the calendar! In October, Skip Hollandsworth entertained us with the life and times of Candy Barr, one of Texas's most famous (possibly infamous) entertainers. Some of us got our hands metaphorically slapped for looking ahead in his presentation, but we all eventually learned to follow instructions, and enjoy a history lesson most of us hadn't heard before.

It was a sold out program, and a good time was had by all who attended. HUGE Thanks go out to the amazing volunteers who helped make the meeting a success!

The 17^th annual National Friends of the Library Week was October 17^th – 23^rd. Tables of information were in the Library Lobby throughout the week, promoting community awareness about our organization and encouraging membership in Friends. If you have friends, neighbors, or co-workers who are not members, now is a good time to invite them to join Friends and get involved.

Our 18^th Annual Christmas Luncheon is December 14th. This event is always THE Christmas event in Rockwall. Most years we have more than 250 attendees; this year, we are cutting back the number of tables and the number of seats at each table, but the tables will still be a sight to see. They are always a collection of winter wonderlands all in one room, and I cannot wait to see them all!

Friends of the Rockwall County Library are here to make a difference in our community. THANK YOU for your continues support.

Madelyn Hill

President

Friends of the Rockwall County Library

Upcoming Events

If you have pictures of Friends events, please share! Send them to Madelyn

via email madelyn.hill19@gmail.com or text to (214) 534-9740.

Please include your name and the event.

Book Club: Monday, November 15

The Friends of the Rockwall County Library Book Club meets on the 3^rd Monday of each month; meet in the Library’s lobby at 8:50 AM. There are no officers, bylaws, or rules – just a group of people that enjoy reading and discussing books. Join us anytime!

December - Free Reading

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Christmas Luncheon

We are excited about Friends of the Library's 18^th Annual Christmas Luncheon, Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at The Center at Rockwall CityPlace, (108 East Washington). In an effort to keep us all safe as we emerge from the pandemic, Co-chairs Nell Welborn, Pat Calhoun, and Kathleen Broze have implemented some changes to the luncheon format and are recommending that attendees be fully vaccinated.

Friends will set up 25 large round dining tables to accommodate a maximum of eight guests per table. Our hostesses will add their special touches with their favorite china, flatware, crystal, and centerpieces. Doors will open at 11 AM so attendees have time to see all the beautiful, uniquely decorated tables before the program begins at 11:30. A catered buffet lunch will be served at noon.

To be put on the waiting list for a spot at the luncheon, contact Kathleen Broze at brkathking@aol.com or (214) 497-2247.

Membership

Do you know someone that's not a member of Friends of the Library? Pick up a Friends brochure at the Library and invite them to become a Friend and help support the Rockwall County Library.

Business Memberships

Calling all members who deal with businesses in Rockwall County each day. YES, YOU!

Friends needs your help increasing the number of business members. Take a brochure from the rack in

the lobby of the Library and give it to just one business you deal with. Tell the person the importance of Friends and the Library to the people of Rockwall County. Friends of the Library supports the wonderful programs offered by the Library for children, teens, and adults, and helps purchase materials and equipment. We are the main support of the Literacy Program, which changes lives by helping people learn to read, learn English, earn a GED, and achieve their goal of becoming citizens.

We need to spread the word and YOU CAN HELP. Will you?

Giving Back

Each time you make a purchase at Kroger or Amazon, these vendors will donate a percentage of your total purchase to Friends.

Kroger

Use your Kroger Plus card to create or sign into your online account at Kroger.com. Under "Save", select "Community Rewards" and choose "Friends of the Rockwall County Library" (#80320). Please note you must re-enroll each year.

Amazon

Visit smile.amazon.com and select "Friends of the Rockwall County Public Library" as your charity. You do not need to re-enroll annually.

Book Alcove

Located near the front desk in the Library, the Book Alcove stocks books, DVDs, and CDs that may be “purchased” by donation.

Here’s how you can help:

Bring your gently used books, DVDs and CDs to the Library to donate.

Shop at the Alcove and donate generously for your selections.

To volunteer at the Book Alcove,

email info@friendsrockwall.com

Giving Tree

Looking for a way to honor and remember family and friends? Add a leaf to this beautiful permanent display in the Library! Businesses can purchase a leaf as a way to show support for the Library and its mission.

Visit the Friends' donation page for more information about the Giving Tree and donation options.