Newsletter I April 2024

President's Message

April provides more than a welcome mat for spring in the world of libraries. It is the month that we nationally recognize libraries and librarians and their collective contribution to their communities. The library provides a community for all, and isn't that wonderful?

Certainly, there is a librarian or library in your life that has had an impact on your growth, development, and love for literature.

And that, my FRIENDS, is a timely reason to celebrate libraries in April!

In FRIENDship,

Carrie Pickell

May 14th General Meeting

Friends of the Library welcomes motivational speaker and bestselling author Staff Sergeant Jason Morgan (retired) with his book A Dog Called Hope: A Wounded Warrior and the Service Dog Who Saved Him.

SSgt Morgan is a military Paralympic athlete, national spokesperson for Canine Companions, and co-founder of the Veterans Outpost - a retreat for military veterans to relax and remember.

Come join SSgt. Jason Morgan with his dog on Tuesday, May 14th at 11:00 a.m.

Lunch menu:

Wraps: - Chicken, Tuna & Egg Salad

Waldorf Salad

Desserts: Strawberry Cake & Cinnamon Apple Cake

Black Tea, Lavender Lemonade, and Water

All General Meetings are open to the community and require reservations.
A $20 reservation includes meeting, program, and lunch. Prepaid Tickets through website/PayPal.
Contact Pam Shirley at 214-334-0046 for reservation without lunch or to pay by cash/check.
A $5.00 reservation includes meeting and program only, for a maximum of five persons.

Tickets are $20 and include lunch. Click below to purchase tickets by May 7th or when sold out.

Any questions regarding reservations should be sent to friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com.

Purchase Tickets Here

National Library Week

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. The theme for National Library Week 2024 (April 7-13) is Ready, Set, Library! FRIENDS will celebrate the Rockwall County Library staff with lunch prepared by FRIENDS.

National School Librarian Appreciation Day

FRIENDS celebrated the school librarians in Rockwall ISD and Royse City ISD on April 4th, National School Librarian Day. Along with their principals, all were greeted by County Judge Frank New and gifted with floral arrangements courtesy of The Flower Box, book selections from the Book Alcove, and treats from Tom Thumb North, and Neighborhood Walmart.

We LOVE our school librarians and all they do for Rockwall County students!

Library Happenings

Rockwall County Library Newsletter

Check out the Library Newsletter using the link below. It is filled with LOTS of good information and more upcoming activities!

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

If you are curious about honeybees or maybe thinking about starting a backyard beehive, then this is a great introductory class for you!

Texas Master Gardener and Texas Master Beekeeper, Kim Townsend of Silly Bee Honey Company, keeps the learning fun and engaging through lecture-style narration and visuals that include gorgeous still images and fascinating video footage!

This is a class not to be missed! For adults and families with children ages 7 and up, no registration required.

The Book-a-Librarian service is an opportunity for patrons with Rockwall County Library cards (in good standing) to receive individual, focused assistance from a professional librarian in a scheduled 30-minute appointment. Assistance with computer skills, reading suggestions, downloading e-books and e-audiobooks, and resume building are just a few examples of how they can help.

On Tuesday, April 30th at 2:30 PM or 4:30 PM, a one-of-a-kind WWII program will be presented by a historian and military expert from the renowned Nimitz Foundation. Real WWII artifacts from the Pacific will be featured. This program is for adults and families with children ages 7+.

FRIENDS Business Membership Spotlight

We thank these businesses for supporting Friends of the Library and the many programs that the Library offers!

Patrons:

Providence Bridal, Lynette Coughlin
Ranger Title, Vicky Hogue
Rockwall Auto Repair, Lance Denton
Rockwall County Helping Hands, John Bailey
Rockwall Daughters of the American Revolution
Rockwall Heath Counseling, Erin Kincaid

Each month we will continue to feature our different business partners here. If you wish to join or renew your business membership, please use the QR Code above. Your membership is GREATLY appreciated!

Announcements

Proposed Slate of Officers for 2024-25 FOL Board of Directors

A proposed slate of officers has been presented to the Board of Directors and approved for the 2024-25 year.

A vote by FOL General Membership will be held at the April 9 General Meeting.

The FOL Board of Directors serve a one year term beginning May 1 through April 30.

Proposed Slate of Officers:

President - Kathleen Evans
President-Elect - Lesli Johnson
First VP Programs - Joy Hosey
Second VP Fundraising and Special Events - Shannon Wilson and Leigh Wilcoxson
Third VP Membership - Susan Sisto and Jen Lewis
Fourth VP Business Membership - Darlene Reed
Fifth VP Communication - Carrie Pickell
Secretary - Lea Carlson
Treasurer - Karen Frederick
Parliamentarian - Kathleen Broze

Details about each position can be found on the FOL website under the ByLaws and Standing Rules links.

The Nominating Committee for 2024-25 as approved by the current Board of Directors: Kathleen Evans, chair; Kathleen Broze; Leigh Wilcoxson; Margaret Davidson and Leigh Plagens.

Library Enhancements

New shelving units for the Teen Library area are in route and scheduled to be installed in May. The Library made this financial request of FOL to enhance the offerings in the teen section and encourage more teen traffic.

Tickets for General Meetings and Special Events must be purchased no later than seven days prior to the event. Seats are limited.

More Good Stuff

Book Discussion Group

2023 Statistics:

897 Class meetings held:

Citizenship - 118

ESL - 632

GED - 144

Literacy - 12

326 Students

37 Volunteers

3,684 Volunteer Hours

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.

Book Alcove

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

Funds raised from the sale of these items go towards Library needs and programs offered.

Come check out the new offerings and take home a book today.

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.

*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.

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.

Click Here to Order Name Tag

Once Upon a Time...

Friends of the Library | www.friendsrockwall.com

See what's happening on our social sites:

@friendsrockwall @rockwallcotxlibrary