Newsletter I SEPTEMBER 2024

President's Message

Dear Friends of the Library,

Is that the smell of Pumpkin Spice in the air? Mixed with a little Fall Football and freshly sharpened pencils?

It must be September!

The library has been buzzing with activity, and we are excited to share that over 15,760 patrons visited us in July alone! This vibrant engagement is a testament to the important role our library plays in the community, and we couldn’t have achieved this without your support.

Membership is in full swing so, be sure and join today…and nudge a few friends to do the same! So many programs count on us, so membership is vital to keep our patrons coming back to engaging opportunities that our library staff so lovingly prepares!

We are thrilled to welcome you back as we kick off our first meeting of the year on September 10th! Our first speaker of the year, Dave Lieber, is sure to make this a memorable event as he presents “Dandy Don Meredith”. To add a touch of fun and excitement to the meeting, feel free to ‘don’ your favorite Dallas Cowboys gear or colors. We can’t wait to see you there!

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead, filled with new adventures and opportunities. Thank you for being such an integral part of our library family.

Happy Reading!

Kathleen

Continuing with my favorite quotes from amazing books and authors…

“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go…”

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

-Dr. Suess

Memberships may be paid online by clicking below or at any of the Friends meetings.

If you have questions, please email friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com.

Click here to join NOW for the 2025 year!

OCTOBER 8 FOL Meeting with Lunch & Speaker/Author Judy Gaman

BIO: Judy Gaman is the CEO at Executive Medicine of Texas, award-winning author of 7 books, a national speaker, and the host of the Stay Young America! podcast. She holds a BS is Health Science from the George Washington University school of Medicine and Health Sciences, an MSPS from GW, and a graduate certificate in Strategic Management from Harvard Extension School. Judy is featured in the media including Fox News Radio, quite often as a Healthy Living Expert. She’s currently working on her second screen play and believes in the power of reinvention at every stage of life.

Summary of Book: Judy Gaman was so busy making a name for herself that she barely took the time to meet a stranger, enjoy life, or simply stop to breathe. Immersed in her job as the director of business development for a high-profile medical practice—a job that required her to write health and wellness books and host a nationally syndicated radio show—she spent every day going full speed ahead with no looking back. That is, until the day she met Lucille Fleming.

While writing a book on longevity, Judy interviewed Lucille, an elegant and spirited woman who had just recently turned 100. Lucille had the fashion and style of old Hollywood, but it was all hidden behind the doors of her assisted living center. What began as a quick meeting became a lasting friendship that transformed into an inseparable bond. Lucille brought incredible wisdom and great stories to the table, while Judy provided an avenue for excitement and new opportunities. Together, the two began living life to the fullest, and meeting the most interesting people along the way (including Suzanne Somers). But then Lucille’s life came to an end through unexpected and unfortunate circumstances—and the very first lesson she ever taught Judy proved to be the most important one of all.

Click here to buy Tickets for October and November

November 12 FOL FALL FUNDRAISER and FASHION SHOW

December 10 FOL ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

February 11 FOL Meeting with Lunch & Speaker/Author Paul Box

March 11 FOL SPRING Fundraiser

April 8 FOL Meeting with Lunch & Speaker/Author Samantha Horwitz

May 13 FOL Annual Meeting with Lunch & Rebecca Blackwood, Dallas Book Reviewers

Name Tags for Members!

Magnetic Name Tags are available for members for $7.00. Click button below to order.

Nametags are plastic with a magnetic backing. Paper stick on nametags will always be available at Friends meetings.

*Nametag orders placed by September 5th will be available at the September meeting.

Click Here and scroll to end of events page to order a Name Tag

Book Discussion Groups

Library Hours:

Monday 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Tuesday 10:00AM - 8:00PM

Wednesday 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Thursday 10:00AM - 8:00PM

Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Sunday - Closed

Rockwall County Library website

September Children's Program Calendar

September Adult Program Calendar

Literacy Center

The Adult Literacy Program has convenient class schedules, including weekend mornings and select evening classes. Tutors are local volunteers and there are no fees for the program classes. There is a small fee for books.

If you have any interest in volunteering as a tutor, please contact the Literacy Center at (972) 204-7705.

2023 Statistics:

897 Class meetings held:

Citizenship - 118

ESL - 632

GED - 144

Literacy - 12

326 Students

37 Volunteers

3,684 Volunteer Hours

In 2004 Carol and Bill moved to Rowlett, Texas. Carol began volunteering as a tutor at Rockwall County Library where she went on to work at the Adult Literacy Center for almost 20 years, eventually becoming Director of the Literacy Center. It was more than a job to her. She found her calling by helping people reach their literacy goals and “find their voice” through ESL and GED studies and citizenship preparation. She truly loved getting to know each person who came through the program and hear their story. Her personal motto was everyone was welcome there and no one was judged. She was honored as Employee of the Year in 2019 for her steadfast dedication to the literacy program and those who participated in it. She was deeply loved by both her students and tutors.

Click to View Full Obituary

Book Alcove

The Book Alcove is accepting book donations every day the Library is open.

Suggested donations are collected and used for library programs. The selection is ever changing, come take a look and bring some books to donate too.

Friends of the Library is proud to partner with Meals on Wheels Senior Services to offer homebound clients books through the Book Alcove. Lynn Fate manages this program and carefully selects books per genre or title requests and they are delivered each month with meal delivery. Donations matter. Keep this in mind as you clean out your collections.

*Fiction titles and large print books are in demand for this program. If you have any to donate, please take to the Library and mark them as "Meals on Wheels." They can be left with the Circulation Desk.

2024-2025 Friends of the Library Board

President - Kathleen Evans

President Elect - Lesli Johnson

1st VP Programs - Joy Hosey

2nd VP's Fundraising and Special Events - Leigh Wilcoxson and Shannon Wilson

3rd VP's Membership - Jen Lewis and Susan Sisto

4th VP Business Membership - Darlene Reed

5th VP Communication - Carrie Pickell

Secretary - Lea Carlson

Treasurer - Karen Frederick

Parliamentarian - Kathleen Broze