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Fall 2022
September | October | November
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Friends of the Atascadero Library Newsletter | |
The mission of the Friends of the Atascadero Library is to support,
promote, and expand the library's resources and programs.
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How can it be Fall already? And even more astonishing is the fact that FOAL just completed its 11th Dancing With Our Stars event. That event marks over a decade of fundraising and community participation among numerous non-profits. Jeannie Malik will have more details to share about the event in her article but I do want to thank everyone that has been involved this year and in previous years. Without all of you it would not have grown into the sellout community event it has become.
Now on to a more serious subject; the challenges against library resources and specific titles ramping up in our Country. There have been 681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources between January 1 and August 31. And, 1,651 unique titles have been targeted in this same period. According to data from the American Library Association, the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities, and public libraries, is on track to exceed record counts from 2021. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
The Friends of the Atascadero Library supports the SLO County Library Services, the American Library Association, and believes that:
- Books are tools for understanding complex issues.
- Young people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books.
- Parents should not be making decisions for other parents’ children.
- Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read.
- Limiting young people’s access to books does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues.
We hope that you too will support every citizen’s right to intellectual freedom.
Last, if you have younger readers in your home, watch for the new “Diversity Book Kits” coming soon to the Atascadero Library. These kits were purchased through a grant and will be available at all of the Libraries for checkout by parents, teachers, etc.
Leigh Livick, FOAL President
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Currently Reading – The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Questions? Suggestions? Email me
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Leigh Livick,
FOAL Board President
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ATASCADERO'S DANCING WITH OUR STARS
2022 “Prime Time Atascadero: Season 11” A Stellar Success!
Submitted by Jeannie Malik, DWOS Producer Atascadero’s Dancing with Our Stars
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Thanks to all who collaborated in making our 11th annual Atascadero's Dancing with Our Stars, “Prime Time Atascadero: Season 11” an enormous success. Artistic Show Director Molly Comin and Assistant Director Christina Troxel knocked it out of the park again this year! The four-night event raised over $240,000 benefitting Atascadero Library plus five local non-profits. In June of 2019, the additional non-profits were invited to raise funds for their own causes from the highly successful DWOS fundraising platform. It was a wonderful effort making a positive difference in our community. Due to the pandemic and 4 ensuing postponements, we were finally able to host the dinner shows on September 14, 15,16, and 17th!
The participating non-profits for this year's event were Atascadero Library, Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee, Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo, North County Economic Foundation/Leadership North County, Sheriff’s Advisory Board/Atascadero K9 Foundation, and Templeton Community Library Association.
Community Star Melinda Reed and her partner pro-dancer Charlie Bradley won the championship and coveted mirrored ball trophy by raising $65,579 for the Templeton Community Library Association. Their dance was choreographed by Judie Magonacelaya. The new Templeton Library is scheduled to open soon! Melinda and Charlie also won “People’s Choice” for the first two shows!
Second place was awarded to Community Star Steve Robinson and his partner/choreographer Christina Troxel who raised $51,847 for Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo. Steve and Christina also won “People’s Choice” for the final two shows!
Third place went to Community Star Kate Auslen and her partner pro-dancer Justin McMillan, raising $31,240 for Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee. Their dance was choreographed by Frank Sanchez.
"Good Sport" trophy was awarded to Sharon Rademacher for her dedicated efforts, first as a Community Star in 2011, followed by participating in several vignettes over the years, and this year dancing her role as the back end of “Mr. Ed!” Sharon possesses a kind spirit, positive attitude, and she consistently rolls up her sleeves to help get the job done. Read more...
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2nd place winner Dr. Steve Robinson (Fred Flintstone) with partner/choreographer Christina Troxel (Wilma) dancing to "Meet the Flintstones" and performing for Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo. | |
3rd place winner Kate Auslen dancing for the Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee. Her routine: "It's Green Acres for Mr. Ed" with pro dance partner Justin McMillan. | |
The Good Sport Trophy this year went to Sharon Rademacher. | | |
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WHAT'S NEW AT THE BOOK STORE?
Submitted by Sharon Turner
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Are you enjoying the Fall? I am just getting home from Morro Bay and buying fresh albacore right from the fisherman! The fish and the wonderful afternoon weather are a win-win for me.
I hope your eyes don't roll back in your head because I have a few things below for you...We are so lucky to have welcomed three already working and one in the wings new bookstore volunteers! Maybe you have seen Kate Moldauer or Jean DeCosta or Mary Turner in the last month as they settle into our little group and store. Tuesday I will be sitting/working with Patti Pearson. Each of these dynamic ladies is such a good fit for us. Please welcome them as you see them in the store.
Our 2 for $1.00 CD sale is over. Since January of this year, we have sold 1,006 CDs!!! I was thinking about 600 but had no idea it was over 1,000. Whew-wee we are good at our jobs. We now just offer what is in the acrylic display up on the shelf under the big window.
You might have noticed that we are really short on current fiction, that which is published within the last 5 years, on the shelves inside the store....that is why I have been putting our jigsaw puzzles on 1 of those sad & empty shelves. The puzzles sort of fill in and are easy for folks to look through. We also moved the audiobooks to the shelves under the window. They are now between the library discards on the left, under the DVDs, and our cookbooks are to the right.
Saturday, October 15th we are going to have a book sale! The start time will be 10:30 am, the end time will be 3 pm with a $5 bag sale from 1:30 - 3 pm. We might need a few extra folks to help. Check out the Signup Genius calendar when it comes out.
Thanks again for all you do for our bookstore and library. I always appreciate your smiling faces.
Enjoy the season,
Sharon Turner
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TRICK-OR-TREAT with FOAL
DOWNTOWN ATASCADERO
OCTOBER 31, 2022 | 5-8PM
Join the Friends of the Atascadero Library once again at this annual fun, safe, family-friendly event on Halloween!
From 5-8 PM on Entrada Ave in Downtown Atascadero, people and pets of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy family, children, pet costume contests, hay maze, and of course, Trick-or-Treating! This event is FREE to attend and is brought to you by the Atascadero Downtown Business Improvement District.
Look for the Friends of the Atascadero Library with books for kids of all ages!
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On September 7th the Central Coast Aquarium’s Tidepools on Tour made a visit to the Shandon Library. The Friends of the Atascadero Library sponsored this interactive session with the Aquarium’s intertidal creatures.
Despite the heat that afternoon, over 75 students were able to have a “hands-on” experience with hermit crabs, sea stars, decorator crabs, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, sea anemones, gumboot chitons, keyhole limpets, sea snails, mussels, scallops, algae and more! The Shandon Librarian had an informative selection of books on display as well about marine biology, tidal creatures, and sea life.
Watch for a visit from the Tidepools on Tour at the Creston Library on November 2nd from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm, also sponsored by FOAL.
For more information on the Aquarium, please visit http://www.centralcoastaquarium.com/
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TRANSITIONS MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S (TMHA)
LIBRARY OUTREACH PROGRAM
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Did you know that SLO County Libraries in partnership with Transitions - Mental Health Association has a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that goes into the community to engage with homeless adults with mental health issues and links them to support services in the community?
The team is made up of a Nurse, Psychiatric Technician, Behavioral Health Therapist, a TMHA Peer Support Specialist, two TMHA Outreach Workers, and a TMHA Case Manager. The team engages with more than 200 people annually, with approximately 50 of those engaged clients receiving assessment and full mental health services including primary care, recovery, clothing, food, Medicare, shelter, mental health, showers, health insurance, and more, all in a safe, private, non-judgmental and inclusive space.
The Outreach Team is at the Atascadero Library EVERY WEDNESDAY from 10 am – 11:30 am so spread the word.
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WHO IS THE NEW FACE AT THE LIBRARY?
Submitted By, Grenda Ernst
Many of you may have already met Destiny Johnson, the Regional Librarian at Atascadero Public Library since April, 2022. Destiny came to us from Cambria, where she had worked since 2006 and held the position of head librarian. She was greatly admired by Cambria library users who were very sorry that she was moving on. In the relatively short time, she has been with us, it is easy to see what drew Cambrian readers to her. While she describes herself as a high-functioning introvert, she is friendly, approachable, and easy to talk to. Several times during our meeting, she commented that she loves her job, and that love is evident as she discusses what is happening in the library.
She is excited about changes that are occurring in the library’s focus, changes that make the library more inclusive, fluid, and dynamic. Technology has created new paths for the library to deliver services to patrons, and she is interested in ensuring that change does not occur at the expense of direct patron service. She welcomes the creation of unconventional collections, which expand horizons, and she is a proponent of supportive collaboration with the community.
When she is not in the library, doing the work she “really, really loves,” Destiny is an artist, who favors watercolors and creating collages. She also likes to spend time thrifting, hiking and enjoying friends and family.
The Atascadero Regional Library encompasses a large area and Destiny has a full schedule but if you see her, introduce yourself and welcome her to her newish inland position.
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I want to extend a very appreciative, “Thank you,” to the Friends of the Atascadero Library for kindly sponsoring the Central Coast Aquarium’s traveling tidepool program at the Shandon and Creston Libraries. They made their visit to Shandon at the beginning of September (picture left), and it was so well attended. Around 75 lucky patrons were able to get up close with some of our local sea life. The participants raved to Shandon Library Manager, Tracey, for days after the aquarium’s departure. What a cool way to foster lifelong learning and educate folks about our local wildlife and oceans. Creston’s event is scheduled for November 2 at 11:00 am.
Summer Reading Program was a whirlwind of activity. We left our community goal of reading 1,000,000 minutes collectively in the dust with a total of 1,393,884 between 2900 readers. The Atascadero Library welcomed 22,659 people through our doors in June, July, & August; the busiest it’s been since the pandemic slowed us down in 2020. And on top of all that, the most exciting change was being able to shift programming from virtual and bring it back into our branches. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as families engaged in music concerts, movie screenings, art programs, and maker days was an absolute delight.
Speaking of programs, here are some of the things you should be looking out for in the next couple of months:
- Paws to Read – Jack the therapy dog is back! He will be ready and wagging, looking forward to young visitors who want to read him stories.
- Teen Scene events - Activities in the Library including Lego, movies, board games and more.
- Family Maker Days – People of all ages can spend the afternoon tinkering, playing, and making! A variety of stations will all be available for families to experiment with.
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Read-A-Latte book club – Sip coffee and discuss the month’s book club pick. October is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.
- Middle Eastern Dance – In this all-ages program, attendees will learn about the culture and different types of dances. Then it's your chance to dance!
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All those, and much, much more! We will be adding things as we go, so check out our online calendar at www.slolibrary.org > Events.
Sincerely,
Destiny Johnson
North County Regional Librarian
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