fools_newsletter_201.. - Oakmont Carnegie Library

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Friends Of The Oakmont Library
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
OAKMONT, PA
PERMIT NO.3
P.O. Box 432
Oakmont, PA 15139
ECRWSS
Current Resident
Presorted Carrier Route
Oakmont, PA 15139
GET ON THE BAND WAGON
The Children's Summer Reading Program 2014 officially kicks-off on
Saturday, June 7th.
2014 Summer reading themes: “Fizz, Boom, Read!” – for younger children
“Spark a Reaction” – for teens
“Literary Elements” – for adults
Watch the Library website for registration information.
SUMMER READING OUTREACH
Some of our classes came to see us!
One of the Tenth St. Elementary groups.
Miranda working with some of our students at
Verner Elementary.
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A Newsletter by and for the Friends Of The Oakmont Library
(affectionately known by the acronym “FOOLS”)
700 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, PA 15139 • 412-828-9532
VOLUME 20 • SPRING 2014
Greetings to residents of our Twin Boros of Oakmont and Verona, and
also to those who reside wherever this newsletter may reach.
Why are libraries so important
to the communities?
We are proud to live within the Twin Boros...a lot of history lives here as well. In
1996 Verona celebrated it 125th anniversary. This year, Oakmont marks the same milestone. 125 years is a long time, and to last that long an entity has to be doing something
right. One of those things was the creation of the Oakmont Carnegie Library. Did you
know the Oakmont Carnegie Library is celebrating its 113th birthday? Those new to
the Twin Boros may not know that the original Library Committee contacted an Oakmont resident who contacted his cousin for financial assistance. The resident's cousin,
Andrew Carnegie, responded and the Oakmont Library was established.
Another anniversary will take place this year, albeit a more recent one. The Friends
of the Oakmont Library celebrate our 22nd birthday. As you may know, the Friends of
the Oakmont Library is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide financial
assistance to the Oakmont Library for children and young adult programming which
the library could not otherwise afford out of their budget. Since 1992, the FOOL's, as
we are known, have raised over $110,000.00. This was accomplished by annual membership donations from the community through our newsletter and across America
through the Oakmont Library website. And we are pleased to be able to send you this
newsletter, every April FOOL’s Day! It has great information about our library and how
your donations are being used to help our residents.
Inside you will find pictures and stories of happenings at the library made possible
through your membership. Also, as we have in recent issues, we feature a local writer
who has written about the Twin Boros or resides within. This year we are very happy
to do both as we highlight the works of local writer Gary Rogers. Much of Gary's work
has focused on the area, and he credits the Oakmont Library with shaping his love
for history and writing. All proceeds from some of his books have gone directly to the
Oakmont Library. We, the FOOL's Board, are pleased and proud to select Gary as
our featured author for 2014.
Gary credits quality time spent as a child in The Oakmont Library with helping
him choose his vocation. The FOOL's wish to ensure that time spent there by today's
children and young adults is equally enriching. It is through your annual membership
that this is achieved.
If you are a Friend of the Oakmont Carnegie Library I thank you for your past support. If not, please visit the Library and see for yourself what magic is happening to
inspire the vocations of our future generation.
Libraries are doors to all of the world’s
knowledge. And librarians make sure
that knowledge continues to be
recorded and saved for the future,
even as information-storage devices
and formats change.
Joe Schweinberg, President of the FOOLʼs
• If libraries are not essential, then why
have some of the world’s smartest and
richest people (such as Andrew Carnegie
and Bill Gates) poured their time and
money into them?
• Librarians have always been major
defenders of intellectual freedom. This
means that they are watchdogs on topics
like free speech, copyright, privacy, and
the right to know what governments and
corporations are doing.
• Libraries offer services and products that
level the intellectual playing field. That
means that they allow people of any
income level or background to access
high-quality information, to use computers, or to borrow what they want.
• Libraries are spaces where people of all
ages can practice lifelong learning.
• Libraries are economically efficient.
Their model of sharing allows them to
serve many people with few resources.
Libraries often join to create consortia in
order to buy hardware, software, and
information at lower group prices.
• Librarians are trained to do high-level
research.
• Libraries have always been “green,”
because they purchase items that many
people can share. For instance, people
can borrow DVDs, magazines, and
books rather than every person having
to buy his or her own copy. Libraries
are spaces where people of all ages can
practice lifelong learning.
Libraries have been around
for 5,000 years.
If they were not essential institutions,
they would have died out long ago.
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AWARD WINNING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
2014 Caldecott Award Winner Locomotive, was written and illustrated by Brian Floca. All aboard!
Accompany a family on an unforgettable weeklong train trip from Omaha to Sacramento in 1869.
Brian Floca’s dramatic watercolor, ink, acrylic and gouache illustrations incorporate meticulouslyresearched portraits of the train, the travelers and the crew as they traverse the American
landscape on the new transcontinental railroad.
2014 Newberry Award Medal Winner Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, written by
Kate DiCamillo. Comic book fan and natural-born cynic Flora Belle Buckman and Ulysses, a
flying, superhero, poetry-writing squirrel, join forces to overcome Ulysses’ arch-nemesis, Flora’s
mother and encounter a quirky cast of characters. Through poignant, laugh-out-loud episodes,
this homage to comic books is a testament to the power of love.
Children’s Choice Awards 2014 Finalists Grades 3 - 6
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. Kyle wins a chance to be one of the first kids
in famous game-maker Luigi Lemoncello's library.
Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass. The Supreme Overlord of the Universe has seven sons, and Joss, the
seventh, only gets to deliver pies.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff. A look at the classic fairytale of Rumpelstiltskin.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman. Things get pretty weird in this funny tale involving time travel and
breakfast cereal.
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt. Two raccoon brothers are the newest member
of the Official Sugar Man Swamp Scouts and must go on a mission to save Sugar Man Swamp.
Doll Bones by Holly Black. A haunted doll takes three friends on a creepy adventure.
A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff. Cady, an orphan in a magical world, has a Talent for baking cakes and is on
a mission to learn about her past.
2014 Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Award P.S. Be Eleven written by Rita WilliamsGarcia. In this spirited stand-alone sequel to “One Crazy Summer,” the Gaither sisters return to
Brooklyn after a summer spent with their mother in Oakland, California. Delphine, Vonetta and Fern
thrive in the tumultuous era of the late 960s, but Delphine is tasked by her mother to, “P.S. Be Eleven.”
2013 Young Adult Library Services Association Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
Bomb by Steve Sheinkin. “In this suspenseful combination of science and history, Sheinkin masterfully
exposes the international race to develop an atomic weapon and bring an end to World War II. This
true-life spy thriller features an international cast of characters and will keep readers on the edge of
their seats. Period photographs of key players and an abundance of primary sources bring this wellresearched story to life. Sheinkin gives readers insight into what happened with all of the major
players after the end of the war. A thought-provoking epilogue on the long term implications of
atomic weaponry reminds readers that the results of scientific inquiry have long term implications
for everyone.”
GREAT WEBSITES FOR KIDS
Does your child, children or grandchildren spend time on the
computer playing games? Here is a great site for you
to use to encourage them to ‘check out’ some other
sites. This site, Great Websites for Kids covers the
following area-Animals. The Arts, History and biography,
Literature and Languages, Mathematics and Computers,
Sciences, Social Sciences and Reference Desk. These
sites are safe and sponsored by the Association For
Library Service to Children, a division of the American
Library Association. Website is http://gws.ala.org/
Get ready for the
next big book sale
at the Library.
April 26th: 10am-4:00pm
April 27th: 10am-4:00pm
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SUMMER READING 2013 @ THE LIBRARY!
The summer reading program was a qualified success last summer. The program ran for 10 weeks and total registration was 261.
That included the in-house program and the outreach project that was new for 2013. The
in-house program was conducted in the Oakmont Carnegie Library and the outreach program was conducted in conjunction with
the Riverview School District. Outreach programming ran for 5 weeks including both Oakmont & Verona students.
Approximately 37 Riverview School District students
participated:
• 15 Tenth St. Elementary Targeted Assistance
• 10 Verner Targeted Assistance
• 12 Extended School Year (from both Oakmont & Verona)
Summer Reading Statistics both in-house and outreach:
• Total programs = 27
• Total attendance of programs = 1,110
• Average attendance of programs = 41 people per
• Total Summer Reading Registrations = 261
• Total Books Logged = 2,672
The Library kicked-off summer reading with Vocelli’s Pizza mascot!
It was a great success with many in attendance.
Families got their bags full of goodies, and had fun with “Slicie” our pizza mascot! Everyone had fun signing up for programs, eating snacks,
doing crafts, and getting ready for summer!
Our Book Buddies turned into “Garden Buddies” over the summer!
Much fun was had by our youngest in the newly-renovated outdoor garden area.
SUMMER READING OUTREACH
Library personnel visited the Targeted Assistance and the Extended School Year students at Tenth Street Elementary and
Verner Elementary. They worked on crafts, talked about books, and had a lot of fun!
Karen reading to kids at Tenth St. Elementary
Kids having fun with our crafts.
Miranda working with some of our students at
Verner Elementary.
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LIBRARY VISITORS!
LIVE CANDYLAND
Many fun groups and individuals visit our library throughout the year.
This year’s Live Candyland program
was bigger and better than ever! Despite the snow, we had almost 180 people show up to this program.
KDKAʼs John Burnett came to visit our Book Buddies!
Local Illustrator, Les Polinko read her book to our
group.
Our Cast & Crew!
Everyone enjoyed the visit from the Western PA Youth Ballet!
Princess Lolly—Alexis Titelbaim
TRICK OR TREAT AT THE LIBRARY
Families love our annual Trick-or-Treat
at the library! This year we had approximately 70 people attend. The
FOOL’s provide us with the funding for
candy and crafts annually.
Queen Frostine—Karen Crowell
Our fun staff – Cindy, Beth, Karen, & Vicki
Our 6th grade tour guides.
One of our smallest, and cutest, trick-or-treators!
The families almost always utilize our space upstairs after story time.
Every child who attended Candyland
got a free book! They also received a
snack from each character and had fun
working on a gingerbread craft in the
Candy Castle, thanks to funding from
the FOOL’s.
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RELAY FOR LIFE, MAY 2013
The FOOL’s sponsors our presence at the Relay for Life. This year, we handed out approximately
150 beach balls with information about our summer reading programs at the library. It is important
for us to have a positive presence in the community, and the FOOL’s enables us to do that.
Our table at the Relay – Barbara and Intern, Christine
Karen giving out balls & information.
ADULT READING
Trying to develop a list of adult bestsellers for 2013 is very easy for fiction titles. However,
non-fiction is a different challenge because there are many different categories. Please
check on the Internet under non-fiction bestsellers for 2013. This lists that are available
are as varied as the weather in western PA.
What have you as a FOOL’s
member purchased for the
Oakmont Carnegie Library?
Here is a breakdown of the
expenses since 2012
FICTION
■
■
■
■
■
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Inferno by Dan Brown
The Husbandʼs Secret by Liane
Moriarity
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
The Cuckooʼs Calling By Robert
Galbraith (J. K. Rowling)
■
■
■
■
■
The Hit by David Baldacci
Wait for You by J. Lynn
Allegiant (Divergent) by Veronica Roth
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia;
Margaret Stohl
Damaged by H. M. Ward
Learn the Ins and Outs of Writing
After serving for more than 25 years and as a result of medical issues related to her Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) diagnosis, Lillie Leonardi retired from law enforcement
and now endeavors to pursue her lifetime passion for writing.
Lillie Leonardi is scheduled to be Artist in Residence at the
Library May through July 2014. She will be teaching a series
of 3 writing classes in May and then using library space to work
on her upcoming novel. Check the Library web site www.oakmontlibrary.org/ for
updated information. The FOOL’s are sponsoring this program.
IN MEMORIAM
Elizabeth Carlin, Oakmont Carnegie Librarian
Elizabeth Carlin, A lifelong Oakmont resident, serves a Head Librarian of the Oakmont
Carnegie Library from 1974-1989. Under her tenure the Library was designated as
“a building of architectural and historic importance to the community” by the Pittsburgh
History and Landmarks Foundation. She was instrumental in spearheading the
restoration of the main floor to its 1901 appearance, established an extension of the
Library at the Riverview Community Action Center and developed a home outreach
program to deliver library materials to those who are unable to visit either of the
Library facilities. Thank you for your dedication to the citizens of the Twin Boros and
immediate area.
2012
Books for Babies
Children’s/Teen’s Programs
Children’s Summer Reading
Adult Summer Reading
Hometown Christmas Books
Books (Usborne & Ingram)
Taste of Two Towns
$459.54
$1,438.78
$2,518.12
$350.83
$127.15
$1,992.64
$767.71
Total
$7,654.77
2013
Pizza & Game Night Activities
$295.58
Summer Reading Program
$3,660.98
Also Outreach Program
Family Movie Night
$60.09
General Children’s Programs $1,330.20
Candyland
$87.57
Hometown Christmas
$83.51
Library Book Giveaway
Taste of Two Towns
$268.94
Printing of Fliers for Schools
$9.62
Total
$5,796.49
Total for 2012 and 2013
$13,451.26
Grand Total From 1993 to 2013:
$110,199.40
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
MEMBERSHIP.
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Meet Gary Rogers
50 years ago, Gary as a young boy spent many hours at the Oakmont
Carnegie Library. After all he only lived 5 doors from the front door of
that magical place. His excitement could barely be contained when
he received his first library card (right). Who would have guessed that
this young boy would grow up to be a prominent author from Oakmont.
Rogers was willing to be interviewed and answered the
following questions.
(Left) Hosting a meeting
of the Oakmont Historical
Society
(Right) I need a caption for this photo.
Tell us about your early years.
I grew up on Pennsylvania Ave, five doors up
from the library and have been going there
since I was a small child. I remember the
library had a series of children’s biographies
and I read every one in the collection;
George Washington, Ben Franklin, Henry
Ford, Thomas Edison, etc. The library also
had an Oakmont history file that consisted of
a copy of the Advance Leader, Oakmont 50th
Anniversary Edition from 1939. I spent a lot
of time reading and re-reading that
newspaper with all of the history of Oakmont.
And yes, no one was permitted to talk above
a whisper at the library, it was a very solemn,
quiet place.
Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Riverview High School in
1976 and attended Edinboro University of PA
where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in
Communications.
Tell us about your family?
My wife, Karen and I have been married for 33
years; we have two daughters Kate and Collette.
We also have two dogs, a pug named Gracie
and a miniature dachshund named Lucy. They
are a major part of our family
What is your tie to Oakmont?
My Oakmont ties; I am a direct descendent of
Michel Bright, the first settler in Oakmont. He
is my grandfather- 10 generations back. Both
my mother’s side and father’s
side have a long history in Oakmont.
What was your inspiration to write?
My inspiration is the rich history and heritage
of Oakmont and the surrounding area. I
continue to be amazed by our local history and
what went on here.
When did you start writing? Do you have
a goal?
My writing actually began when I was invited
to be a part of the book project “Images of
Oakmont”. My goal is to preserve the history
of our community for future generations. A
large part of that history has been lost over the
years. I thank Vince Gagetta, Paula Calabrese
and Cheryl Zentgraf for inviting me to be a part
of the book project.
Why were you interested in writing books
on the local area?
In addition to preserving our local history, I am
also able to help out the local libraries and
historical societies by donating the proceeds
from my books to them.
What are your plans for future titles? What
community is next or are we goping to see
a different genre?
I am currently writing a book on the history of
the Verona Volunteer Fire Department for their
125th Anniversary. I am also planning a
second printing of the Edgewater book.
May we have a list of your titles and
where they can be purchased?
Images of Oakmont (available at the
Oakmont Library)
Tales From Our Towns, People Places and
Events Forgotten By the History Books (out
of print)
The History of Edgewater Steel (out of print)
Tales From Our Towns, The Allegheny Valley
(available at Oakmont Library)
The Changing Hills, The History of Penn
Hills, PA (available at the Penn Hills Library)
All Aboard, A History of Verona, PA (available
from the Verona Historical Society)
Do you have any additional information
that you would like to share with our
readers?
I am very active in the Oakmont Historical
Society and serve as president. The society
works very closely with the Oakmont library.
We share resources and work together to
preserve and share the history of Oakmont. I
would like to thank the library for their support
of the Oakmont Historical Society.
Do you have any final comments?
I just realized I have been a patron of the
library for 50 years!
Gary Rogers is very modest about his involvement in other areas and activities. He also belongs to the Plum, Allegheny Foothills and the Verona
Historical Societies. He is a member of the Oakmont Lions Club and is a past president. Rogers is also the Editor of the Oakmont Community
Newsletter and is the featured speaker of the ‘Celebrate Oakmont Committee’ at monthly meetings. He was in the first group of Riverview
Distinguished Alumni.
Gary Rogers has a sincere love for our area. Thank you for your commitment to share with many others the events and stories of our special area.
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2013 MEMBERSHIP ROSTER
The Oakmont Carnegie Library Board is grateful for twenty-two years of service and support from FOOL’s. Their special purpose is
to support children's programs and materials at the library. Beth Mellor, Library Director, and Karen Crowell, Youth Services Librarian,
have developed outstanding children's programs at the library, which you can find listed on the library website at
www.oakmontlibrary.org . President Kennedy once said, "Children are our greatest natural resource, and our best hope for the future."
This statement could well be the motto of FOOL’s in their passionate support for the needs of children in our library. These youngest
Americans become empowered as persons and patriots, as they immerse themselves in the materials and programs available at the
Oakmont Carnegie Library. Your financial support of the FOOL’s annual appeal guarantees that we can continue to offer interesting
and dynamic programs and materials for our children. Thank you for being a "FOOL"--Friend of Oakmont Library for the sake of our
children, our hope for the future!
Chuck Erdeljac, OCL Board Chair
Robert & Ruth Alcorn
Sam & Dixie Anderson
Bill & Charlotte Bandi
Jan & Jim Beiber
George Bender
Don & Judie Beynon
Maureen & Leo Bidula
Greg, Pam & Taylor Billet
Patricia V. Black
Sarah Blakely
Brigitte & Lou Bouchat
Richard A. Boulden
Bob & Paula Brison
Jim & Adeline Brown
Joanne and Dave Brownlee
Hank & Ann Buechli
Dan & Carol Burton
Donald Dominic Buzzelli
Paula A. Calabrese
Mary Castelli
Rosemarie Catullo
Margaret Cochran
Eileen Colianni
Patrick & Frances Connolly
Glenn & Tara Conroy
Maggie Conte
Martha Corson
Charles & Denise Croyle
Aimee S. Cupelli
Carolyn Czapor
Bill & Judy Deasy
Elmer Delle Donne
Mary G. DiDiano
Christine Dietrick
Mary - Isabel M. Doak
Evelyn Doelfel
Peter Kovacyk & Paula Doelfel
Jack & Sharon Eaton
Darleen S. Eden
Wallace D Edsall
Sue & Chuck Erdeljac
Ann Eves
Mr. & Mrs. Frederick R. Favo
Bob & Vicki Federline
Lois A. Flowers
Dr. H. F. Flynn
Jane W. Foster
Sue Goodwin & Vic Friday
Tom & Cindy Gaughan
Jan & Frank Genovese
Robert & Sandra Gentilcore
Ralph & Dottie Gilbert
June Graham
Mathew & Lucy Gregory
Alexandra, Michael & Corey
Gregory
Terry & Carolyn Griffin
Dorothy M. Grubbs
Glenn Gruber
Perrin & Nancy Haft
Quintin & Kathleen Hartwig
Carol Harvanek
Paul Herrle
Bill & Joanne Hetrick
Eleanor M. Hitchak
John & Lynn Hohman
Charles & Audrey Holler
Loren Holt
Frank & Gerry Hooper
Gerald Houston
Mr. & Mrs. John Jacobs Jr.
Lynn Jacques
Paula Jesion
Kathleen Kefalos
Joe Kensinger
Judith D. Kern
Beatrice Kidwell
Pamela M Kimmel
Tom & Mary Lou Kissane
Kittridge Family
Phyllis Klara
Ralph Klug
Mark & Ginny Koenig
Barbara & Kevin Koszka
Patricia Lance
Clete Lee
Mary Ellen LoAlbo
Vince & Joni Mainier
Linda Manzari
Barbara Marcus
Chris & Sue Martin
Ms. Hannah P. Matthews
Bill & Jan McGrath
William & Susan McHenry
Ralph & Mary McIntyre
Mary Lou & Ish McLaughlin
John & Becky Miceli
Lauren Mikus
Kathy & Tim Milberger
Mary Molyneaux
Rich & Joan Munion
John J Nelson
Dorothy Nixon
Barbara Nolte
Thomas J. OBrien
Chris & Maria Osborne
John & Audrey Page
Val V. Parise
Tom & Peggy Patterson
Mary Jo Peoples
Ross & Suzanne Potter
Dorothy Pronio
Vince & Dolly Provenza
Mike & Linda Purtell
Dr. F.G. Ride
Jane D. Ries
Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Paul & Barbara Rocchini
Tom & Helen Rocke
Jim & Elin Roddey
The Rodewalds
Carole Roney
Angela M. Rydeski
Rich & Sandy Savinda
August Savio
Dr. Melvin Schiff
Dick & Joan Schneider
Diane & Thomas Schorr
Joseph C. Schweinberg
Mr. James Seel
Robert A Shapiro
Steve & Dot Shreve
Marilyn Siebart
Jeanne Siska
Stan & Joan Sofish
Mary E. Stapko
Bob & Joan Stewart
Dr. & Mrs. Abraham Sudilovsky
Rachel & Lowell Swarts
Jim & Karen Sweetland
Mary Eleanore Szwedko-Rose
Mr. & Mrs. W.S. Taylor
Gladys & Adam Vayda
Vera & Dominick Viale
Lois M. Vitti
Robert R. & Pat Walsh
David & Cathy Watters
William & Laura Wengerd
Lawrence H. White
Muriel Wilcher
Marian & George Williams
Richard A. & Nancy Lee Williams
Beth Williams
Williams Family
Dick & Lee Wilson
Peter & Wendy Wilton
Judy & Brianna Wise
Dorothy Wolslayer
Dorothy A. Wratcher
Adelbert & Dorothy Wygant
Mrs. Dianna Wyrick
Mary Ann Yingling
Harry E. Young
John & Rita Young
Dolores Zalar
Richard & Ruth Zoller
We have made every effort to present the list of donors as accurately and completely as possible. If any errors have occurred, we apologize most sincerely.
The FOOL’s are our Friends
The board and staff of the Oakmont Carnegie Library want to thank the FOOL’s for supporting our summer reading programs, afternoon adventures
and summer reading outreach for 2013. This past summer we extended our summer reading program to the elementary schools over the summer
and the FOOL’s came through by helping us purchase program specific materials including books and crafts to support reading throughout the
summer. For 2014 the FOOL’s will be helping to support our first ever writer in residence program. For this program we will have a writer Lillie
Leonardi teaching a series of classes and writing in the library. The FOOL’s are our friends for helping us try new programs and expand our services
to the community.
Beth Mellor, Director