Felton Library Friends

Annual Poetry Reading

2012-02-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

Calling All Poets!

Felton Library Friends invites SLV residents to submit poems on the theme of "Taking a Stand" for the 8th Annual San Lorenzo Valley Poetry Reading. Entries must be submitted on or before April 5 by email to feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com or by mail to Felton Library Friends, PO Box 1245, Felton, CA 95018. One poem per poet may be submitted, and must include poet's name, age category, and phone number. The age categories are 4-8 (dictation OK), 9-12, 13-17, and adult.

Poems, selected from all age categories by Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate David Swanger, will be read at the SLV Poetry Reading on Thursday, April 26 at the Felton Community Hall. For more information, contact Felton Library Friends, a chapter of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, at 335-9553, feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com or visit feltonlibraryfriends.org.

February Events at the Felton Branch

2012-01-26T21:09:00.000-08:00

February Events at the Felton Library

Event on February 8th at the Felton Branch

READATHON

Wednesday, February 8th

Felton Library

3:00 - 6:00

Come and celebrate the fine art of the spoken word. Featuring Community members:

3:00 April Burns - Stories for Children

3:30 Lise Quintano- "The Elephant’s Child" by Rudyard Kipling

4:00 Anna Morris – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

4: 15 Dave Poetzinger – "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe

4:45 SLV High School Students –Assorted Essays

5:15 DougMorris – Selections from Yeats, Billy Collins, and others

Drop by Anytime!

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Event on FEBRUARY 14th at the Felton Branch

MUSICIAN AND STORYTELLER

Tuesday, February 14th

Felton Library

6:45 - 7:15

Lil Rev

Treat your family to this special evening event featuring music and storytelling.

Expanded Hours beginning January 2012

2012-01-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce that Felton branch hours, along with those at all other Library branches, are greatly increased beginning this month. We are now open five days a week, as follows:

Sunday closed
Monday closed
Tuesday 2-6
Wednesday 2-6
Thursday 1-5
Friday 1-5
Saturday 10-2

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors. And take a moment to introduce yourself to our new branch manager, Jason McCluskey, and his assistants.

Steering Committee Meeting November 29, 2011

2011-12-07T14:47:00.001-08:00

Present: Thomas Wynn, Anita Lande, Phyllis Taylor, Edna Lyles, Nancy Gerdt, Paul Machlis, Michele Mosher.

We opened with library news: The new ILS (computer system) and remaining problems, a coming new member and new chair to the JPB, new hours and staff at Felton in January, the FSCPL brochure just published, and a coming volunteer coordinator for non-Friends volunteers.

Read-a-Thon: Nancy will work with Marilyn who will call readers. We agreed to the branch as the location and discussed possible starting times. Michele will work on the poster, Paul will handle PR. Event will be the 2nd annual one and will be scheduled for February. Marilyn will first check with the branch manager re scheduling.

Poetry Reading. Anita will coordinate receipt of emailed poems. Paul will handle PR. Tentative date is Wednesday April 25 pending room availability.

Verutti land: A meeting in January will provide more information on the possibility of County ownership. Should that proceed, FLF would then meet with Director Landers regarding possible interim plans for the property.

We discussed how FLF might better represent itself with the SLV Chamber of Commerce and the two business associations. Thomas discussed ways in which the three groups are cooperating, including beautification of the Valley. FLF will try to have a rep at the mixers or the quarterly breakfast meetings. Potential volunteers to this and/or the JPB are Michele, Paul, Anita, Phyllis, Donna, and Nancy.

Next meeting is January 24, 2012.

PM

Great Blindini Magic Show October 15

2011-10-07T17:09:00.001-07:00

Where: Meeting Room, Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9
What: A magic show for families
Who: Brent Gifford (The Great Blindini) and Yankee, his Wonder Dog
Day: Saturday, October 15
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

As part of a county-wide celebration of the works of Edgar Allan Poe sponsored by the Santa Cruz Public Library. Many other events centered around Poe are scheduled in October, including poetry readings, discussion groups, magic shows, cemetery tours, writing contests, and more. To learn about them: http://santacruzreads.org

Minutes 9/27/11

2011-09-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Present: Donna Ziel, Paul Machlis, Anita Lande, Michele Mosher, Nancy Gerdt.

Tales to Tails is going well. FLF may need additional volunteers.
Marilyn Robertson has mounted a Poe display. Additional displays are planned by FLF members.
Nancy, Michele, Anita, and Paul will meet on October 14 to review web and email procedures. The plan is to issue a monthly email newsletter, that will be aesthetically attractive, and that will include both social events (programs, clubs, etc.) and political news (regarding the Felton issue).
Nancy reported on JPB news.
The steering committee will next meet on November 29.

9/28/11

Tales to Tails Begins at the Felton Branch

2011-08-03T18:06:00.001-07:00

We are delighted to announce that an innovative reading program for children will be held at the Felton Branch beginning on August 20. Each Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning, trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library be attentive, non-judgmental partners for children reading aloud. Families may reserve an individual time slot for their child to sit quietly with a therapy dog and a book and read. Research shows that frequent reading opportunities in a comfortable environment help children become better readers.

For more information and to register for a twenty-minute time slot, call Melanee Barash at 427-7706, ext. 7672.

Meeting Minutes July 2011

2011-07-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

FLF STEERING COMMITTEE Minutes
Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Attending: Nancy Gerdt, Paul Machlis, Thomas Wynn, Michele Mosher, Donna Ziel, Frank Adamson, Phyllis Taylor, Anita Lande, Sherry Skoll, Edna Lyles, Nina Moore.

Nancy reported on the July JPB meeting: improved sales tax revenues, new ILS coming in the Fall, and changes to meeting room policies. The next JPB meeting is September 12.

Phyllis and Sherry reported on FSCPL: revised policies, the Big Read event (Edgar Allen Poe) coming in October. Members expressed interest in having a Felton component of the event, perhaps at the Felton Community Hall (small room) or the Covered Bridge, or perhaps an outdoor film related to Poe. Phyllis announced her resignation as FLF representative and she was thanked for her exceptional service. FLF will put the word out for a new volunteer. Sherry will step down as President of the FSCPL Board, but will remain as a member.

For the new website, the group expressed a preferance for images of the current building, one of the drawings by Teal Messer for a future building, and possibly a third picture (either the pre-graffiti version of the sign in front of the property, or a picture from 2005 of FLF members on the property). Paul will continue to work on the new website, possibly with a consultant.

PM 7/11

Summer Children's Programs

2011-06-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

FLF is proud to present its second annual series of Children's Programs. Click image below to enlarge.

Ready-Set-Read

2011-06-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

FLF is delighted to participate in this innovative reading program for children. Click image below to enlarge.

May News

2011-05-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends --

Please take note of the following regular events at SLV libraries this month, as well as two special Shakespeare programs at the Boulder Creek Branch.

Felton Circle Time, Tuesdays 4-5, "Hear stories, sing songs! For the younger school-aged crowd."
Boulder Creek Storytime, Wednesdays 11-12:30, "Early literacy for children and their families."
The Felton Library Book Group, 3:00 Tuesday, May 24. Share your favorite books in the genre of historical fiction this month, and get recommendations from others. See feltonlibraryfriends.org for genres in coming months.
The Reading in the Redwoods Book Group meets at 6:15 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of the month -- May 25th this month. Use side entrance to the branch. A copy of the current book can be picked up at the Felton branch. For more information call Eunice at 420-1345
The Boulder Creek branch is sponsoring a performance of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors on May 14, and a screening of an acclaimed documentary called Shakespeare Behind Bars on May 12. See details below.

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Shakespeare in the Valley

On Thursday, May 12 at 7 pm, the Friends of the Boulder Creek Branch Library will show the moving and highly acclaimed documentary “Shakespeare Behind Bars” which premiered at the Sundance Festival in 2005. The film follows convicted felons at Kentucky’s Luther Luckett Correctional Complex as they rehearse for their production of “The Tempest”. The crew and entire cast come from the prison population and the film includes interviews with the participants as they struggle to reconcile their pasts and search for meaning in their roles in the play.

Then at 2 pm on Saturday, May 14, UCSC’s Shakespeare to Go troupe will perform Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” in the Library’s amphitheater. This talented troupe of UCSC drama students will present a 50-minute version of this farcical comedy, believed to one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays. It is the story of two sets of identical twins which were accidentally separated at birth and subsequently become involved in a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities, accusations of infidelity, theft and more.

Both events will take place at Boulder Creek Branch Library at 13390 W. Park Avenue, Boulder Creek. Admission is Free. For additional information, please call 427-7703.

SLV Poetry Reading - 2011 (click to enlarge)

2011-04-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

Meeting Minutes April 2011

2011-04-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

FLF STEERING COMMITTEE Minutes
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Attending: Nancy Gerdt, Paul Machlis, Beth Benjamin, Michele Mosher, Donna Ziel, Frank Adamson, Phyllis Taylor, Anita Lande.
FLF website: Voted to hire web consultant to assist with migration from Dreamweaver-based site to a more accessible Blogger or Wordpress site. Reviewed purposes of site: available for public searches on Felton and SC library issues, hub for information during political action, information about Felton Library events, provides contact info and donation info. Suggested features: comment area, search box, FAQ, calendar, links to JPB, FSCPL, other sites.
JPB report: need for continued action to preserve and improve SLV library services.
FSCPL report: discussion of how Friends money (from fundraising, book sales, etc.) is spent, how expenditures are decided and reviewed.
Summer programs: FLF is sponsoring five children’s programs in addition to the two offered by FSCPL on Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 6/14-7/30. FLF will participate in New Leaf Community Day to raise approximately $1000 to finance these programs, and New Leaf will be listed as a sponsor of the programs.
FLF meetings: The May FLF meeting will occur Monday evening, May 23 in order to include more people in the discussion of next steps for FLF.

A Ten-Branch System!

2011-04-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

On Monday, April 4, the Library Joint Powers Board approved a library service model that preserves all ten branches, with a minimum of 30 hours per week at each branch, and with no branch dependent on volunteers to open its doors.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel provides a report on the meeting as well as an editorial on the decision.

FLF members will next work together on how we can support structural changes to the Joint Powers Authority Agreement that will protect the three small branches in the unincorporated areas of the County from future threats of closure.

Many, many Felton Library Friends created this victory for community branch libraries: those who contacted Board members and political representatives; those who attended and/or spoke at Board meetings, City Council meetings, and hearings; and those who wrote to the Sentinel and the Press Banner. Your voices made a huge difference.

In the six years since the Felton branch was first threatened with closure, the past months have surely been the most challenging. FLF is proud of the connections we have nurtured over the years -- with our Supervisor, with reporters and editors in the media, with civic leaders -- all of which helped result in a plan for the library system that honors the intent and promises of Measures B and R (sales tax measures).

Felton Library Friends will continue to promote excellent public library services for Felton and surrounding areas and work towards a new Felton branch library.

Thanks to All!

2011-03-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends --

Next Monday, April 4, the Library Board will vote on the subcommittee recommendation that all ten branches remain open with a minimum of 30 hours per branch, with no branch depending upon volunteers to stay open. There will be a public comment period before the vote. FLF is really pleased with the recommendation, which all parties predict will be approved by a substantial majority of the Board.

The meeting will be at 6:30 at the Santa Cruz County Building 5th floor, Board of Supervisors Chamber, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz

Once the Board approves the subcommittee proposal, FLF members will discuss how they can support structural changes to the Joint Powers Authority Agreement that will protect the three small branches in the unincorporated areas of the County from future threats of closure.

Felton Library Friends will continue to promote excellent public library services for Felton and surrounding areas and work towards a new Felton branch library.

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has -- Margaret Mead

Felton Library Meeting Saturday

2011-03-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Felton Library Friends --

A reminder that this Saturday, we have a great opportunity to provide feedback to the Library Joint Powers Board on the proposal for library planning that will come to vote on April 4.

A Board subcommittee has announced its recommendation that all ten branches remain open with a minimum of 30 hours per branch, and with no branch depending upon volunteers to stay open. FLF is really pleased with this recommendation.

This Saturday, please come to a study session from 3:30-4:30 pm at the Felton Fire Station to learn more about the proposal and give your feedback to board members. It’s important that they hear from our community before the final vote. (If you can’t make this session, two others are scheduled on Saturday: 9:30 am at the Aptos Library and 12:30 pm at the SC Police Department).

The proposal and schedule of meetings are at http://www.santacruzpl.org/media/pdf/ljpb/20110326_agenda.pdf

An article in the Sentinel on the proposal can be read at:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17678681?IADID=Search-www.santacruzsentinel.com-www.santacruzsentinel.com

Please be part of this process that will soon determine the future of our library system for at least the next five years.

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has -- Margaret Mead

Meeting on Library Future This Saturday

2011-03-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Felton Library Friends --

The Library Board subcommittee has just published its recommendation that all ten branches remain open with a minimum of 30 hours per branch, and with no branch depending upon volunteers to stay open. FLF is really pleased with this recommendation, which will come up for a vote of the full Board at the April 4 JPB meeting.

This Saturday, please come to a study session from 3:30-4:30 pm at the Felton Fire Station to learn more about the proposal and give your feedback to board members. It’s important that they hear from our community before the final vote. (If you can’t make this session, two others are scheduled on Saturday: 9:30 am at the Aptos Library and 12:30 pm at the SC Police Department).

The proposal and schedule of meetings are at http://www.santacruzpl.org/media/pdf/ljpb/20110326_agenda.pdf

Please be part of this process that will soon determine the future of our library system for at least the next five years.

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has -- Margaret Mead

News Regarding Branch Closures

2011-03-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Felton Library Friends --

What’s happening with the decision on the future structure of the library system?

The subcommittee appointed to craft a recommendation for the Library Joint Powers Board will be giving an update at the LJPB meeting this Monday, March 7, 6:30 pm at the County Building, 5th floor chambers.
The subcommittee recommendation and Board vote are expected at the April 4th meeting

What can you do to influence the crucial upcoming decision?

Show up and say what you would like to see for the Felton branch in terms of hours, programs, and services. Your input is important.
Say what you would like to see for the future Felton branch on the Verutti property.
Keep writing letters and let the board members know what matters to you.

What are the meeting details?

Library Joint Powers Board Meeting
Monday, March 7th
6:30 at the Santa Cruz County Building 5th floor Board of Supervisors Chamber 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz -- PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS CHANGE IN LOCATION FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has -- Margaret Mead

Model C -- Information for the Joint Powers Board

2011-03-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

The following document was created by supporters of the Felton, Branciforte, and other branches to advocate for a ten-branch model.

Read the document.

Board Decision Delayed

2011-02-17T15:22:00.000-08:00

To all Felton Library Friends,

Thank you to all who attended the Joint Powers Board meetings, spoke passionately and articulately, and wrote letters in support of keeping the Felton and other smaller branches open—together we made a difference!

The Library Joint Powers Board voted at their meeting Monday to not choose Model C or Model D, and to instead establish a subcommittee to craft a compromise proposal that incorporates elements of all models. We are hopeful that the bottom line will include keeping a 10-branch system. The Board will consider the compromise recommendation at their meeting on March 7.

For information about this decision, the Santa Cruz Sentinel has continued to provide excellent coverage:
Library Board Postpones Vote
City-County Libraries Seek New Game Plan
As We See It: Library Delay Right Call

In the meantime, letters to members of the subcommittee and the Board in general are still strongly encouraged. Talking points related to the saving of small branches are at www.feltonlibraryfriends.org. In addition, you may wish to thank Board members for delaying the vote and being open to finding solution that keeps branches open.

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has -- Margaret Mead

Council takes road to close library branches

2011-02-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

This opinion piece, collaboratively written by members of FLF, appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on February 13, 2011

A task force appointed by the Library Joint Powers Board spent six months developing four library service models, all fiscally sustainable, one of which the Board will select Monday night. The Santa Cruz City Council, under Mayor Ryan Coonerty's leadership, has felt the need to endorse a service model that will close branches, prior to the board's decision.

By this vote, the City Council is violating the spirit of both Measures B and R and their clearly stated intentions regarding "preserving existing libraries" and "the support of existing local public libraries." Measure B, approved by 72 percent of voters in 1996, established a temporary ¼-cent sales tax to support the library system; Measure R, approved by 73 percent in 2008, made that tax permanent. City legal staff say that as long as the library system spends money for just one of the things promised in these measures, they are safe on legal grounds. But in regard to their duty to the voters, they are in the wrong.

Legal cover will do little to persuade a public that there has been no breach of faith. The intention to preserve or support existing branches is first and foremost in the expenditure plans of both measures. The text of Measure B refers specifically to expansion of services for two of the branches now threatened with closure, and the argument made for Measure R claims that the measure "ensures that our ... libraries can continue to serve you" listing each branch by name.

We voters have long memories. From one bad-faith action on the part of public officials, we tend to conclude that they, and public officials generally, are not to be trusted. If library branches are closed, many voters will legitimately conclude that reasonable expectations regarding the use of these tax funds have not been met -- not out of necessity and a lack of other feasible options, but out of choice.

In the case of the library sales-tax, the loss of support of even a portion of avid library users, joined with strong anti-tax advocates, may well spell doom for a future facilities bond measure, one that is sorely needed to bring library facilities to current standards. What may appear to be a gain now may become a serious long-term liability to our library system.

The cost of retaining the four threatened branches is a small portion of the library budget. This is a philosophical, not a fiscal, issue: Is the pain of the current budget crisis to be shared throughout the county, or is it to be felt mainly by certain constituencies?

Professionals within the Library system characterize Library Model C as nostalgic and out-of-date, while Model D is the wave of the future. Yet, throughout the country, there is evidence to the contrary, as communities go to their branches for the very things identified in our library's strategic plan: reading, viewing and listening for pleasure; lifelong learning, community connections; and a welcoming place. Model C is the future of public libraries here in Santa Cruz County, matching the will of the voters and maintaining their trust as the library system moves through its current fiscal crisis.

Paul Machlis is a member of the Santa Cruz Public Library Task Force, a librarian at UC Santa Cruz and a resident of Felton.

Crucial Meeting Monday Night

2011-02-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Felton Library Friends --

We strongly urge you to attend a crucial Library Board Meeting tomorrow, Monday February 14, 6:30 P.M., Santa Cruz City Council Chambers (809 Center St). Note: Location incorrectly stated in the Sentinel as Louden Nelson Center.

Today’s Santa Cruz Sentinel has four articles that together provide an excellent picture of where things stand regarding branch closures. They include an important spotlight on Measures B and R, which promised voters that small branches would be protected and a new library in Felton would be built. The articles are the result of much research and many interviews on the part of reporter J.M. Brown and others at the newspaper.

Although the articles suggest the possibility of a delay in the vote, whatever happens, the meeting tomorrow night will be an important one for the entire Library system, and especially for Felton and three other threatened branches. A large turnout is very important to insure that our voices are heard and to support Board members who are committed to protecting the small branches.

In addition, Model C supporters have created a document that corrects misinformation and clarifies aspects of the ten-branch model. A PDF is available for viewing at www.feltonlibraryfriends.org

Be sure to attend tomorrow night's meeting and insure that our voices are heard! There will be an opportunity for brief comments from the public.

With thanks to all who have contacted Board members, Santa Cruz City Council members, and who have attended the previous meetings.

On Valentine's Day, Show Your Love for Libraries, and their Place in Our Communities!

Read-a-thon at the Felton Branch

2011-02-10T17:59:00.000-08:00

Felton Library Friends invites you to its first Read-a-Thon, Thursday February 10. Come here nine readers sharing one of their favorite works of literature. Click poster below to enlarge.

News Regarding Branch Closures

2011-02-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Felton Library Friends --

Many thanks to all who have shown up, spoken, emailed, called, and sent letters! A decision on the future of community branches will very likely be made next Monday night.

Do please spread the word about that meeting:

JOINT POWERS BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 6:30 P.M.
NEW LOCATION IS SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS (809 CENTER ST.)

TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY

If you have not yet written Joint Powers Board members, please do so. Contact information and talking points are to be found at www.feltonlibraryfriends.org

We were disappointed that the Santa Cruz City Council felt the need to weigh in on a County/City issue and that they endorsed a model that would close Felton, La Selva Beach, and Garfield Park and perhaps Branciforte. For more information on that meeting:

Santa Cruz Sentinel (article by J.M. Brown) (http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17335434)

Reports on Monday's Library Joint Powers Board meeting are at:

Santa Cruz Sentinel (article by J.M. Brown) (http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17321726)

SLVNews.net (blog of SLV resident Jim Coffis)(http://slvnews.blogspot.com/2011/02/head-librarian-seeks-extreme-makeover.html)

Felton Library Friends will continue to update you regarding this issue, one that has now risen to prime importance throughout the County.

Thank You,

Felton Library Friends

Santa Cruz City Council Meeting

2011-02-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Felton Library Friends --

Thanks to all who came to the Library Board meeting last night and spoke so eloquently of the importance of the Felton branch to your lives.

We wish to remind you that tonight at 7:00 p.m., 809 Center St. in Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz City Council will discuss the four models for the library's future and possibly direct its two Library Board representatives to vote for a particular one. The meeting tonight may decide the question of whether branch libraries survive or not.

We urge you to attend!

Thank you,

Felton Library Friends