fools_newsletter_201.. - Oakmont Carnegie Library
Transcription
fools_newsletter_201.. - Oakmont Carnegie Library
Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:06 AM Page 1 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. Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:06 AM Page 2 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. Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:06 AM Page 3 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 Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:07 AM Page 4 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. Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:07 AM Page 5 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. Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:07 AM Page 6 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. Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:07 AM Page 7 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. Fools Forum Spr.2014_Layout 1 4/1/14 9:07 AM Page 8 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
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