THE LIBRARYAND ITS FRIENDS

The Newsletter of the Friends of the Library, Gainesville, FL, serving the Alachua County Library Districtfolacld@bellsouth.net www.folacld.org

Volume No. 71 Issue No. 2 April 2022

Letter from the Director ........ 2Amazon Smile ................... 2Foundation Page ................... 3From the President ................ 4Help Needed ................... 4Elections ................... 4FOL Spotlights ................... 5Educational Assistance .......... 6Sale Considerations ............... 6Volunteer Training ................ 7Library Birding Kits ............. 7Sale Pictures ................... 8

Save the DateApril 23-27 – Spring Book Sale

October 22-26 – Fall Book Sale

[Click titles or page numbers to see articles]

2022 Spring Book Sale

The Friends of the Library Bookhouse at 430 North Main Street has something for all ages and is packed with books, records, art work, games, comics, CDs, and DV Ds from categories ranging from architecture to zoology.

Items in the Col lector ’s Corner include a first edition of The Dream Keeper by Langston Hughes, books on Mesoamerican Culture and Art – many featuring the Olmec, signed works by Harry Crews, and Collecting the Confederacy by Shannon Pritchard.

Join your fr iends and neighbors from Saturday, April 23rd, through Wednesday, April 27th. On Tuesday, April 26th, all items are half price, and on Wednesday, April 27th, each remaining item is just ten cents. Collector’s Corner is open Sunday through Tuesday.

For more information and hours for the Spring Sale, visithttp://folacld.org/n_sale_about.html .

Items featured in the Collector’s Corner can be found athttp://folacld.org/n_sale_colcor.html .

[More pictures on page 8.]

In-Person Programs Return Throughout Library District

The Alachua County Library District team is excited to offer new in-person programs and bring back longtime favorites for all ages starting April 1st.

All twelve locations will host programs for children, teens, and adults. Seating is limited and registration is required. Patrons can sign up for programs up to two weeks before the event’s date online at aclib.us/attend or by calling the branchhosting a particular program.

Programs range from art workshops to job seekers clubs, meeting a variety of community needs. Popular children’s programs will return on a regular basis, along

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Letter from the Director

This spring, the Alachua County Library District team looks forward to welcoming more patrons back to our buildings with new programs for all ages.

In April, we will host in-person programs again at all branches. Programs include story times and Music and Movement for babies and toddlers, book clubs for adults, arts and crafts

activities for all ages, and others. Seating is limited and patrons can reserve a spot online at www.aclib.us/events or by calling their preferred library branch. We hope to continue to expand our in-person program offerings this year and to offer the best community programs in Alachua County, all for free. Learn more on page 1.

We are expanding our service hours this spring to serve more customers on weekday evenings. Starting Tuesday, April 5, Headquarters Library and the Millhopper, Tower Road, and Alachua branches will all be open until 7 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. For a full list of our hours, visit www.aclib.us/locations .

The new hours start just in time for National Library Week, April 3-9. This year’s theme is “Connect with Your Library.” I hope you

will visit one of our branches during this week and share what your library connects you to at one of our interactive National Library Week displays. You can also post online to share how the library serves you using the hashtag #MyLibrary. Don’t forget to tag us @alachualibrary.

In May, we are partnering with Altrusa International of Gainesville to present a new kind of checkout experience with the Human Library. The “books” in this library are people, each with a unique story to share, and “readers” can learn from them through personal dialogue. The event is Sunday, May 15th, at 2 pm at the Cone Park Branch, 2801 E. University Avenue. Patrons can come and “borrow” a book for a set time to hear the book’s story and ask questions in a safe space. The Human Library’s goal is “to better our understanding of diversity to help create more inclusive and cohesive communities across cultural, religious, social, and ethnic differences.”

I am pleased to share that after two years of hosting Summer with the Library, we are happily preparing for Summer at the Library. That small word change embodies a big step forward in holding summer programs inside our branches again. This year’s theme is Oceans of Possibilities; we are diving in with in-person and virtual programs to serve all our patrons from May 28-July 31.

The summer fun begins with Reader Palooza on June 2nd from 10 am-noon at Depot Park. Join us for a morning of activities and games with our community partners and sign up for Summer at the Library while you are there. If you miss Reader Palooza, register at your favorite branch or online at www.acl ib.us/summer. Participate in community activities and log your reading for chances to win great prizes. We’re happy to partner with PDQ Restaurant again this year to offer tablet computers to three grand prize winners and Five Star Pizza for a weekly pizza winner.

On our facilities side, we are launching several key construction projects. We hope to break ground soon on the Archer Branch renovation. We are excited to update and expand the branch to better serve southwest Alachua County. We are gearing up to build a new MakerSpace at Headquarters Library, which will feature the latest technology and tools. Finally, we are ready to update the windows at Headquarters Library just as soon as we can secure the supplies.

As we expand our locations and services, the Public Services Division is always considering how to serve Alachua County’s diverse community. We will host a “Library for Me” open house for children and adults on the autism spectrum Sunday, April 24th, at the Cone Park Branch. Collaborating with the University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, this sensory-friendly event will include a Sensory Story Time, crafts, and resources. I appreciate your assistance in sharing this event with our patrons on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.

Help Friends of the Library while you shop online. Simply shop atsmile.amazon.com/ch/59-6212422 (the nu m b e r ide nt i f i e s ou r F O L ) a nd AmazonSmile will donate a small fraction

of your purchase amount to Friends of the Library, at no cost to you, Remember to bookmark smile.amazon.com/

Thanks for supporting Friends of the Library, FOL programs, and the Alachua County Library District.

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providing long-term support to the Alachua County Library Districtthrough major gifts and bequests since 1989

The Alachua County Library District Foundation

The Foundation

2022 Annual Katherine’s Tree Awards

The Foundation is recognizing the previous year’s Katherine’s Tree leaf recipients by placing individual leaves in their name on Katherine’s Tree, the ten-foot glass etching of the Tree of Knowledge standing in Headquarters Library. Hawthorne Branch librarian Guylene Morris Resue received the 15th annual Guy Hudspeth Award (named for retired

librarian and its first recipient in 2007 Guy Hudspeth) for her twenty years of service and for being instrumental in making the library an integral part of the community. The Award, sponsored by the Kosman Foundation, honors an outstanding Library District employee annually. Resue is known for ensuring that the library is active in the area of art and has carried on the Annual Art Show at the Hawthorne Branch.

Each year the Friends of the Library honors some of its outstanding volunteers by placing leaves on the tree. One honoree is Ellen Hulslander, who has worked diligently as a table coordinator and a senior member of the book sale committee. This year’s second FOL-donated leaf honors Stephanie & Mark Olson, who have taken an active role at FOL as Sorters, Table Coordinators, and Book Sale Volunteer Coordinators. The third leaf is for Tony White (who included his wife Hope’s name on his leaf in her memory), an integral part of the art area: sorting, pricing, cataloguing, coordinating.

Tony White also donated a leaf for his daughter Skye and her husband, John Maze. John has been the bagpipe player at the FOL book sales for a decade. Mitzi Austin and Wayne Smith gave a leaf for Jessica Giuli Austin, wife of Victor Austin and mother of Reece and Matilda. Pushpa Kalra donated a leaf in memory of her late husband, Satya Paul Kalra.

These seven leaves represent gifts of $14,000 to the Foundation, helping advance its support of our outstanding Library.

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Messagefrom thePresident

This issue of FOL’s newsletter highlights various aspects of volunteering at the Friends of the Library. Whether working at a book sale, serving on various committees or boards, or spending three hours each week processing donated books and other items, FOL members donate their time to provide low-cost materials that promote literacy and support the Alachua County Library District.

There are two types of weekly volunteers; the sorters and the table coordinators. Both groups handle the 65 different categories we sell. I think few folks realize the physical work involved with their tasks.

Processing starts with the sorters. They work three-hour shifts, either from 9 am to noon or noon to 3 pm. Sorters receive donations from drive-by vehicles, put them on carts, and wheel them to the sorter table which has signs for each category. Next they unload the carts and put the donations in the correct category. As items pile up, they are delivered to the appropriate table.

The table coordinators arrange these items on their shelves and price them. These volunteers normally come to FOL on their own schedule, varying from almost daily to every week or so. Like the sorters, they do lots of stooping and lifting, making FOL a pretty healthy place, particularly for the sorters, who have a lot of walking to do as well. I’m a sorter, and it’s rare for me to walk less than 10,000 steps in my shift.

Is this an activity you would enjoy? Check the FOL website member information page,

http://folacld.org/n_mbr.html , and click on Lend A Hand.

We’re Looking for Volunteers – Can You Help?

The Bookhouse doors are again open at Friends of the Library. Volunteers are needed as FOL processes new donations and prepares for the 2022 Book Sales. We need assistance in the areas listed below. Training is provided. Please write tofolacld@outlook.com to volunteer.

Sorters and Table Coordinators: process donations in various categories during weekly three-hour shifts

Office Manager: monitor, maintain, and manage office supplies, telephone communications, mail, in-house refreshments, etc.

Committee Assignment: help with ongoing committee tasks in areas such as publicity, newsletter, memorial contributions, and membership.

FOL Elections

It’s time to begin thinking about the slate of officers to lead FOL during our next fiscal year. Would you like to take a more active role? Do you have skills to share, possibly in finance, organization, or correspondence? The Executive Board includes the offices of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary. For a list of committee chairmanships, check the FOL website http://folacld.org/n_dirs.html. You do not have to be a weekly volunteer to serve. For questions and/or to share your interests, please write to folacld@outlook.com .

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Position: Library Specialist, Millhopper BranchBackground: Alexis began her career with the Alachua County Library District volunteering at the Alachua Branch. She was hired in March 2020 as a page at the Millhopper Branch, promoted to teen library specialist at the Hawthorne Branch, and then returned to Millhopper full time as a children’s library specialist in February 2021.

Alexis was born and raised in Gainesville, attending P.K. Yonge and then Santa Fe College. She then transferred to Florida State University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. She met her now-husband at Florida State University and they moved to Orono, Maine. After visiting the Orono Public Library, she applied for a job to be a circulation clerk. Little did she know this would begin her career in Library Land. While pregnant with her daughter, she was promoted to circulation manager and loved every minute of working at a library that has great community impact. During her time in Orono, she decided to pursue her Master of Library Science degree. Alexis graduated with her MLS in fall 2020 from the University of North Texas.

In her off-work time, Alexis enjoys being with her spouse and keeping up with her active four-year-old daughter. They enjoy family walks and skateboard and scooting rides together. Besides spending time with her family, Alexis enjoys running, reading, gardening, baking, and traveling. She hopes to travel the world with her family in the future. Her favorite fiction at the moment is anything with a strong female lead empowering other women. Her current favorite authors are Liane Moriarty, Celeste Ng, and Alex Michaelides.

Getting to Know YouSpotlight on Library Staff Spotlight on FOL Volunteer

Lilla Moye

Alexis Dixon

Alexis Dixon Lilla MoyePosition: Collector’s Corner Florida Coordinator

Background: If you want to know about Florida, ask Lilla Moye. Her grandfather built the family farm near Archer, FL, and three generations of her family have lived there. The daughter of educators, Lilla grew up in Gainesville and Archer. She recently moved from the farm, but maintains her strong affinity for the land. “We are stewards,” she says. “Everything is fragile.”

For thirty-five years, Lilla worked at the University of Florida, first in the Personnel Department and then for the UF Foundation. She and her husband, Anson Moye, a professor in UF’s department of Food Science, were avid fishermen. Lilla remembers a particular trip when a pod of dolphins surrounded their boat and entertained them for fifteen minutes with a water ballet of leaps and turns. A uniquely Florida experience!

Twenty-five years ago, Lilla Moye joined FOL. She credits Ruby Cox with her initial training, working first as a sorter and then as a table coordinator. She was thrilled when Linda Connell asked her to join the Collector’s Corner and take over (appropriately) the Florida section. Transforming the extra space created by recent renovations and expansion of that area has been a welcome challenge. About her time at FOL, Lilla says “I just love being down here.”

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[Programs, continued from page 1]

with specialized events like the Heal Vets Craft program at the High Springs Branch and the ChillSpace for teens at Library Partnership Branch.

“We are happy to offer more programs for the community,” said Public Services Division Director Joyce West. “As we fill out our events calendar, we’re eager to welcome patrons into our programs and to hear their feedback.”

Patrons can register at least twelve hours before an event to guarantee admission and check-in beginning fifteen minutes before a program’s start time. For families or groups, patrons should include all additional individuals as guests when they register. A library card is not required to register or attend any program.

Highlights from the April and May schedule include:• The Drama Club @ HAW: Claymation Animation; Tuesday, April 19, 3:30 pm, Hawthorne

Branch, teens. Using an iPad and other library-supplied materials, teens can make basic claymation animation.

• ACA Marketplace Navigator; Thursdays, April 7 and April 21, 10 am - 1 pm, Library Partnership Branch, adults. A certified Marketplace Navigator dedicated to assisting consumers to enroll and/or update their Affordable Care Act plan will offer consultations.

• Explore Your Senses - Touch; Thursday, April 28, 11 am, Newberry Branch, ages 1 - 5. Explore the sense of touch with a MakerSpace box, craft, and a game.

• Vampires Suck! The Science Behind Vampire; Thursday, May 26, 4 pm, Micanopy Branch, teens. Delve into the science behind vampire myths on the anniversary of Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.”

Learn more about the Library District’s upcoming in-person, outdoor, and online programs at www.aclib.us/programs.

2 02 2 Spr ing Book Sa le – Sp ec ia l Considerations

The Bookhouse has been updated to include a larger Collector’s Corner and a new expanded Art area. Comics/Manga and Puzzles/Games now have their own newly designed spaces. While much will seem the same, there will be a few procedure changes in response to ongoing health concerns.

• FOL’s first priority is the health of the community and the volunteers who make this sale possible. Masks are strongly encouraged and will be available upon entry.

• To keep shoppers and volunteers safe, there will be a rolling admissions policy. Entrance will be limited to an occupancy number based on current health and safety guidelines. Once maximum occupancy is reached, shoppers will enter as others exit.

• There are now two entrances to the Book House: one door to Art, Comics/Manga, Puzzles/Games and one door to the original warehouse. Each area will have its own occupancy limit, entrance queue, and check-out area.

SCANNING POLICY

Scanning of one item at a time with no disruption to other shoppers is permitted.

Creating a stack of books for scanning is not permitted. Stacking books for scanning limits access to the area by other shoppers.

Educational Assistance Program

Four ACLD employees recently earned their Masters in Information Sciences degrees with partial funding from FOL’s Educational Assistance Program. FOL congratulates them on their accomplishment and is pleased to share the comments they made to FOL program chairman Marylyn Gresser.

Mercedes Gorman – “Pursing my degree allowed me to explore and focus on areas I’m most passionate about, including LGBTQ+

issues in public libraries and how we as librarians can address them, as well as ways that diverse & authentic literature can fulfill developmental needs, particularly in children and teens. I’m already getting to put my degree to good use, as I’ve been hired to be the new librarian at the Archer Branch. Your support was a large part of the reason I was able to complete my degree so quickly while working full time.”

Sarah Grainger – “Many thanks to FOL who helped pay for my classes during the

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New FOL Volunteers

Recently Volunteer Coordinator Doris Harvey and Cynthia Karle welcomed new volunteers to Friends of the Library and introduced them to FOL history, procedures, and guidelines. Since then they have been helping prepare for the Spring book sale. FOL welcomes these new members and appreciates their dedication and hard work.

Mary Anthony is interested in gardening, child raising, and the Oxford comma. A recent retiree, Dawn Beachy is an art maker, book lover, and wanderer. Sandy Burnett is a bromeliad gardener, ukulele player, and registered nurse. A retired librarian, Melanie Cooksey recently moved from Pasco County. Mary Hall is a retired media specialist and technology trainer for the Alachua County Schools. Linda and Leon Henderson are retired educators who are working in FOL’s Art area. Raised in Gainesville, Bruce Stechmiller is a retired hematologist-oncologist. Anne Taylor has a wild, wonderful gift for language. The proud mom of a ten-year-old son, Coleen Tobin currently works at the Alachua County Library District while attending Library School at the University of South Florida. Catherine Turner is fond of science fiction and board games and looks forward to working at FOL as a table coordinator. A mosaic artist and retired art teacher, Linda Zidonik is working in FOL’s Art area.

Hunter Becker is a lover of all things games, especially roleplaying games. Engineering student Carina Diaz is passionate about aerospace, board games, and the outdoors. Elizabeth Dudenhausen is an animal lover, mother, wife, and retired scientist who loves books. Danny Kotovsky feels at ease when the thunderstorms arrive. John LeMoyne returned home to Gainesville after retiring from the military. Retired from UF, Candice McCall worked in Information Technology and her hobby is stained glass. Gina Simonton is a retired high school English teacher and lover of books. Mary Beth Trakinat is new to Gainesville and a retired college administrator. Rose Ann Walker is a “mostly retired” mental health counselor.

Dawn Beachy, Sandy Burnett, Linda Zidonik, Anne Taylor, Leon Henderson, Coleen Tobin, Linda Henderson, Catherine Turner,

Mary Anthony, Bruce Stechmiller, Mary Hall, Melanie Cooksey

Front: Mary Beth Trakinat, Gina Simonton, Hunter Becker, Candice McCall

Back: John LeMoyne, Carina Diaz, Elizabeth Dudenhausen, Rose Ann Walker, Danny Kotovsky

two years on my degree of Master of Science in Information from FSU. It was a blessing that FOL was able to help despite the pandemic. I’m thrilled to say that I have been promoted to a Youth Services Librarian position at Headquarters District.”

Alora Cummings – “Thank you so much for all your help in these last few years. I am so grateful to FOL for providing funding towards ACLD employees’ dreams. It has been such a blessing in my life.”

Courtney Evans - “You are among quiet helpers in our community, and I hope you know that we appreciate you. I enjoyed working at the sales together and plan to continue. I recently accepted a position as a Librarian in Youth Services.”

Spot a New Species with a Birding Kit

Try a new outdoor hobby this spring with a birding kit from the Library District. Thanks to a donation from the Alachua Audubon Society, the Library District has ten birding kits available to borrow.

Birding kits are ideal for beginner and intermediate birdwatchers and include a pair of Vortex Raptor binoculars, the book Sibley Birds East: Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, and a resource guide prepared by the Alachua Audubon Society, including tips on the best local parks for birding.

Place one on hold in the catalog just like a book and pick it up at your preferred library location. Kits check out for fourteen days and renew twice if no one else is waiting.

assistance, continued from page 6

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Items Prepared for the Spring Sale

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Invite your friends to join FRIENDS!

Remember - the benefits of your membership include:• 4 newsletters per year,• invitations to the annual meeting and special seminars,• volunteer opportunities with the twice-yearly book sales.• Butthebiggestbenefitofallisthatwonderfulfeelingyougetfrom

doing something great for your family, neighbors, and community.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

New ❏ Renewal ❏ - FOL member since _______

Name: _______________________________________ (as you wish your membership name to appear)Address: _____________________________________

City : ________________ State: ___ Zip: ___________

Telephone: Home ____________ Work _____________

E-Mail Address ________________________________

Membership Categories

❏ $150 Life Member (65+) ❏ $15 Individual

❏ $50 Patron ❏ $10 Student/Senior (65+)

❏ $25 Family ❏ $ ___ Other

Volunteer Opportunities

❏ Book Sales ❏ Book Sorting (year round)

Othertalents, Ican’tvolunteer,butam please call me happy to support FOL with my membership

❏ ❏

Make checkspayable to FOL

Mail to: Friends of the Library, Attn: Membership 430-B N Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601

F O L N e w s l e t t e r - A p r 2 0 2 2