FOAL Newsletter
August - September  | 2020
 
 
The mission of the Friends of the Atascadero Library
is to support, promote and expand the library's 
resources and programs. 

 FOAL President, Leigh Livick
PRESIDENT'S CORNER 

Greetings Friends of the Atascadero Library (FOAL) members, supporters and followers,

I am pleased to be your newly elected FOAL President. I have been an active member of the FOAL Board for over twenty years!! So, I guess it's only time for me to take a turn as President. Congratulations and thank you to Jeannie Malik-Vice President, Linda Zirk-Secretary, Shirley Summers-Treasurer, and Sharon Turner-Corresponding Secretary. Also, a BIG thank you to Wenonah O'Rourke who has volunteered to take over as Dancing With Our Stars Treasurer.

If you missed the Annual meeting on June 27th, you may access the minutes and a Zoom recording of the meeting on our website. Thank you to North County Regional Librarian Jacqueline Kinsey who provided an update of what is happening at the Atascadero Library and what staff has been doing to assist during the COVID-19 shutdown.

The Atascadero Library is currently open for "Grab 'n' Go" services so plan ahead and limit your visit to 20 minutes. And of course, wear a mask. Please do take advantage of the numerous online services the Library system has to offer as well. To stay on top of the latest library news, I highly recommend subscribing to the online monthly "County of San Luis Obispo Public Library News". There are also numerous special interest newsletters you may subscribe to.
As COVID-19 continues to change the way we do things, the Friends are doing their best to meet the challenges. You will find information in this Newsletter about Dancing With Our Stars (yes, postponed again), new furniture and materials purchased by the Friends for the Atascadero Library, and more. New books and DVDs should start arriving this Fall as well.

Until next time, stay well.

Regards,

Leigh Livick, FOAL President
Pronouns:  she, her, hers

Currently Reading:
             The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama

ALICE'S BOOKSTORE NEWS  
Submitted by Sharon Turner 
 
Greetings from 'Alice's Bookstore' (aka home), 

The yard looks great, the fruit is delicious, many of the projects are getting done but I heard the new chickens squawking, 'What!? Still no Bookstore? She's still here?' I informed them that although we are all ready to go and missing our time there, like mad, we need to wait just a bit more. We need to make sure everyone will be safe and our County Direct of Libraries is doing just that. He will let us know when we are able to re-open the doors to Alice's Bookstore. In the meantime, keep talking to the chickens and pulling weeds. 

See you soon,
 
Sharon Turner, Linda Zirk & Alice Rew

LIBRAY ART NEWS

While the Library art exhibits might be on hold right now due to COVID-19, that doesn't mean that we have to go without art! Enjoy as we take this opportunity to celebrate a few of the artists of exhibits of years past! Don't see one of your favorites from past exhibits here? Check out our next newsletter as it may be showcased then! 

On behalf of the Friends of the Atascadero Library a heartfelt thank 
you to all of the artists who have supported the library with their time and creativity. Thank you for your continued support!


Drew Mayerson
George Asdel
Julie Dunn
Mandy Weathers
Kate Moldauer
null
Janice Pluma

Nixson Borah
Linda Wargo
Linda Wargo

Laure Carlisle
Laure Carlisle
Jeri Edwards

DANCING WITH OUR STARS
Submitted by Jeannie Malik
 
The Dinner Show is Rescheduled until 2021!
 

Due to COVID-19 circumstances and the rise in SLO County cases, Atascadero's Dancing with Our Stars has been rescheduled for September 8, 9, 10, 11th of 2021. Yes, 4 nights!! The sponsor seats, ticket sales, etc., will be transferred to the new event dates for the same nights and seating. Thanks to EventBrite ticket manager and our FOAL webmaster Leigh Livick, there is detailed information on the FOAL website regarding ticket options. We're anticipating ticket changes, however, we don't want our guests to lose their premium seating if they choose to maintain their reservation. Our plan is to decrease the number of tables each night translating to a lighter audience each night with more elbow room!
 
Our dedicated vendors and talented dancers are onboard for four entertaining dinner shows directed by Molly Comin and Christina Troxel. They have worked incredibly hard creating "Prime Time Atascadero: Season 11" featuring several vignette dance groups woven in between our eight Community Star dance performances. Our Community Stars have their dance routines complete and they are anxious to perform. Just imagine how good they'll be a year from now! The 2021 production is based on popular TV shows, past and present, from The Flintstones, to Game of Thrones with many fun surprises in the mix! By September 2021 we'll be more than ready to enjoy this lively show featuring exciting dance routines, memorable music, and talent beyond compare.
 
In addition to the Friends of the Atascadero Library, this annual fundraiser will benefit six other important community non-profit organizations and/or programs, including: Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee, Artistry in Motion, Atascadero Police K9 Foundation, Templeton Community Library Association, Friends of Charles Paddock Zoo, and Leadership North County. See the above poster with more details. We have a record 84 sponsors this year, a testament to the amazing community support!
 
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances.
 
Take care and stay safe.

Warm regards,
 
Jeannie Malik
Vice-President Friends of the Atascadero Library
Event Producer with Friends of the Atascadero Library

TREASURER'S REPORT
Submitted by, Shirley Summers

Recap of Fiscal Year 2019-20

As we have just ended the 2019-20 Fiscal Year, I want to share with you a recap of the major income and  expenditures made by Friends of the Atascadero Library (FOAL). Total Revenue for the 2019-20 fiscal year was $17,184.21. Total expenses were $76,058. Your donations and support of our Library, our events and our bookstore improve our Atascadero Library in particular, and the County Library System as a whole.

Our inability to hold the 2020 Dancing with our Stars (DWOS), fundraiser, dinner and entertainment event, reduced our income by a significant amount.  Fortunately, prior years, revenues over expenses have been kept in a Money Market Account and in investment accounts.  Through our monthly Operations Checking Account and out Money Market Account at Mechanics Bank we were able to meet all of our expenses without dipping into our investments. It is those resources that allow us to continue to provide continuity of programs and services through difficult times like these.

This past year we initiated the Author Spotlight Series.  Our debut featured author  was Lisa See.  Attendees gave her rave reviews, indicating that her presentation was very successful.  Revenues brought in through ticket sales were $4,163.00.  Total expenses for the program were $5,542.44.  Of the total  costs, $2,195.60 were paid through the funds remaining from a prior donation made by Sally Knight that had been designated specifically for programs.

Our Atascadero Branch of the County Library System was awarded the A-town MakerSpace. FOAL supported A-Town MakerSpace in the amount of $4882.47.  Annually a $5,000 support for the A-Town MakerSpace will be budgeted.

Hopefully you have had an opportunity to see the new furniture that was purchased by FOAL for the Children's section of the Library.  Furniture that was purchased when the Library first opened, was showing the signs of significant use, and needed replacement.  In December of 2019 FOAL spent $29,275.45 to revitalize that area of the Library.  Purchases were guided by a committee of Teen Library users.

The third major purchase made by your 2019-20 FOAL board was the purchase in May 2020 of 30 hotspots along with a 2 year subscription.  The cost was $21,813.00. Hotspots allow one to access WiFi in places where no internet service is available.  Many of our children use Hotspots to actively participate in Distance Learning Programs for school. The Hotspots are loaned out by the Library through your Library Card. See here for more information. Hotspots are well used and there is often a waitlist to check them out.  Please be sure that you and your children all have Library Cards, so that you can check out Hotspots to use wherever internet service is needed.

Thank you all for your tax deductible contributions to FOAL!  Without your donations and participation in our fundraising events and bookstore, many of the programs and capital purchases would not have been possible.  I will continue to update you on major purchases made during the 2020-21 fiscal year by FOAL

Yours, truly,

Shirley Summers
Treasurer for FOAL


MEMBERSHIP CORNER
 
IF YOU HAVEN'T RENEWED YET, THERE IS STILL TIME!! 


If you are not a Life member, your FOAL membership expired July 1, 2020. You can renew on-line at the FOAL website or find a printable form to mail with your payment. 

Membership categories are: 

Individual     $12.00

Family          $25.00

Benefactor   $100.00


 

Life members do not need to renew their membership on an annual basis.

THANK YOU TO OUR RECENT NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS!

SPONSORS & DONORS
Thank you to the many individuals who have joined FOAL, sponsored programs, newsletters and events, donated or purchased books, volunteered their time, or made monetary gifts. Your support of the Friends of the Atascadero Library has enriched our community by enhancing the library's programs and services.

NEW DONATIONS
John Lehman

If you you would like to become a new member or renew your membership, have a question about your membership status, making a donation, volunteering, or becoming a sponsor, please contact linda.folatascadero@yahoo.com.
 

BRANCH LIBRARY NEWS


Grab & Go and Limited Library Services

Beginning July 7th seven county libraries and the Paso Robles library began walk-in Grab & Go service, permitting a limited number of patrons to enter to pick up holds or briefly use computers! Seven branches are providing walk-in, limited services and limited capacity Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.* (*9:00am-10:00am doors are open for vulnerable populations). Patrons are required to wear face coverings and are encouraged to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. The spaces inside the libraries have been adjusted to accommodate distancing and no seating is available for leisure reading. Library staff continue to follow State and County guidelines to ensure safety by maintaining separate workspaces, sanitizing workstations, and wearing masks.

The Hotspots purchased are now filling holds!  The bright orange boxes are no longer produced, so they are now in smaller black cases (see picture at left). Presently there are 115 holds!  There are 62 devices available with in the SLO County Libraries and a total of 81 within the Blackgold libraries.
Steps to place a hold on material at this time: you must go to www.slolibrary.org {not blackgold.org}, click on Search Catalog, type Internet Hotspot (or book title of your choice), click on Place Request, then enter your library card number and password (which is usually your last name). However, materials from Santa Barbara County libraries are not being delivered and are not holdable at this time.
In this new fiscal year for the SLO Library system, we will continue to purchase all types of new material. This includes the online - download items.  These can be searched and/or downloaded to your personal device, using your library card number and password, by visiting www.slolibrary.org and clicking on Digital in the top menu bar, clicking here, or clicking on the direct links below. There are several venues to search and choose from:
has eBooks and audiobooks for all age groups and is the easiest to use.
offers eBooks from smaller, independent publishers and self-published authors.
provides instant streaming of movies, music & television shows AND audiobooks, comics and eBooks to download.
provides popular on-demand film streaming.
has eBooks and audiobooks for all age groups.
offers a collection of digital magazines in full content.
Give us a call Tuesdays - Saturdays with any questions.  (805) 466-6161.  
We just might have an answer!
Sincerely, 
Jackie Kinsey
North County Regional Librarian @ Atascadero Library.            

About the FOAL Newsletter 

The FOAL newsletter is sent bimonthly to FOAL members and library supporters. 

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