Among Friends Friends of the San Carlos Library – www.scfol.org
Winter
2014
l
Two More Reasons to Love the Children's Room By Michelle Loomis
Youth Services Librarian
If you haven’t visited the
Children’s Room recently,
you’re in for a surprise. We are
now home to two custom-
designed, interactive learning
play spaces that will engage
children's sense of touch,
hearing and sight, as well as
their minds. Burgeon Group
Design Studio has just
completed the installation of
both pieces, and they are now
available for the public to come
and enjoy. Learn more about the
importance of play in learning
here, on Burgeon Group’s
website:
http://www.burgeongroup.com/a
bout-us.html.
At the entrance to the room,
visitors will find a colorful
California wildflower-themed
wall mural with a variety of
Contents: Profile of Youth Services Preview Evening 4 Librarian Michelle Loomis 2 Grand Re-Opening 4 Book Review 3 President's Message 6
features to explore.
Create words with the
“wordmaker,” use the height-
measuring tool, or turn the
wheel to see the visible gears
move. There are so many fun
facets to this mural that it’s
hard to tell which will be the
most popular.
If you’re able to peel yourself
away from the mural, venture
farther into the Children’s
Room to find another
surprise: a bright orange
tractor with engraved nursery
rhymes, games, magnets,
mirrors, and not just one, but
two steering wheels!
To accompany the tractor,
children may visit the
magnetic farm play area just
a few steps away.
We are thrilled to make these
spectacular new pieces
available to the public, and
we are especially thankful to
the Friends of the Library for
so generously funding these
additions. We hope these
pieces will become a part of
our young visitors’ treasured
memories, and that they will
look forward to discovering
something new on each visit.
Contact Michelle Loomis at:
Michelle Loomis and daughter
Hana enjoy the Children's
Room.
Children love to try the bright
orange tractor with two steering
wheels.
Explore the California
wildflower mural. Interactive playspaces copyright: Burgeon
Group
PAGE 2 AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2014
Staff Profile: Youth Services Librarian, Michelle Loomis
By Jacqueline Carter
Walker
The programs and activities
that the San Carlos Library
offer to children today are
remarkable and vital. Under
the leadership of Michelle
Loomis, our library's
program for children
includes offerings from
puppet shows to song fests,
"Pajama Story Times" and
"Cooking Fun for Children."
As a child, my little country
library had a summer
program geared to how
many books you could read
during your vacation. My
older sister read every book
on mythology that the
library had, and she received
a congratulations certificate,
but there were no discus-
sions, just numbers.
At the San Carlos Library,
the more varied program
includes a program featuring
reading to a therapy dog
called "Paws for Tales." The
promotion notes that reading
to a dog builds a child’s
confidence and reading
skills.
According to Michelle, “As
the children’s librarian at
San Carlos Library, I’ve
learned that the library
means something different
to each of the children and
families in our community.
For some, it is a place to
discover exciting new
authors, do research for
school reports, learn how to
take care of that new pet rat,
or meet with a tutor after
school. For others, it is a
place to do arts and crafts, see
a fun performance, participate
in a story time, or take chess
lessons.
“Of course, I can’t forget
those who come in just to say
hello, to see what’s new in the
library, learn what events we
might have happening that
day, or spend some quiet time
curled up with a good book.”
Asked to describe her work
with the San Carlos Library,
Michelle says, “Given the
diversity of our activities, it’s
hard to define just what the
library is…and this is one of
the most exciting parts of my
job! Working closely with
children and parents, I have a
front row seat to their needs,
hopes and desires, and have
the freedom to create the
programs that will give them
what they want.”
She adds, “Right now, we are
working especially hard to meet
the developmental needs of the
youngest members of our
community, not only through
our baby and toddler story
times, but through hands-on
learning opportunities such as
our 'Little Chefs Cooking
Program' for toddlers and their
caregivers, baby/parent yoga,
and baby sign language classes.
“All in all, the Children’s
Department is a place for fun,
learning, socializing and
exploring. I am so lucky to be a
children’s librarian, with
endless opportunities for
creative planning, a supportive
community, and a fantastic new
Children’s Room, to boot. I
look forward to the years of fun
to come!”
Michelle prepared for her
profession by earning a MLIS
(Library Information Science)
degree from San Jose State
University, as well as a
bachelor’s degree in sociology
from University of California,
Berkeley and a master’s degree
in sociology and education
from Teachers' College of
Columbia University.
A California native, she and her
husband, Damon, have two
children: Isaac, age 4, and
Hana, age 1.
If you have not visited our
Children’s Room lately, drop
in. It will put a smile on your
face to see all of the books in
colorful and enticing
surroundings.
Youth Services Librarian
Michelle Loomis
PAGE 3 Among Friends WINTER 2014
to live: making the toughest of
decisions for the greater good
of the family. But in doing so,
the ramifications of those
choices plays out for all
people who are touched by
those decisions: the brother,
the sister, the father, the
adopted family, the next
generation.
The life depicted in
Afghanistan seems so hard for
me to grasp as a person living
in the USA. The war years—
BOOK REVIEWS
Deb Kramer
Two Books for Winter Reading
Curling up with a good book
makes the evenings go faster
during long winter nights. Here
are two I recommend:
1. And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseini
This book was a tremendous
work. I continue to love Mr.
Hosseini's writing style and the
way in which he weaves a
story. The characters are well
developed, and their
interrelationships are well
constructed. The story is heart-
wrenching about the choices
people have to make as they try
off and on, the harsh living
environments, the lack of
education for girls and boys,
the challenges of being born
female. So many difficult life
situations all rolled into one
incredible story of
perseverance and hope. A
book well-worth reading.
2. The Last Man by Vince
Flynn
Sadly, this is the last book by
Vince Flynn, who died from
cancer in 2013. I really
enjoyed reading his Mitch
Rapp series, and this book
was equally enjoyable. The
main character has had a
tough life as a secret
government agent, living in
the shadows, and trying to
have a normal life with a
family and friends, only to
have it wrested away from
him.
In this story, we see the main
character continue in his
brazen ways with the other
main characters he's been
working with: the director of
the CIA and his buddies from
other clandestine operations.
Despite his attempt to find
the missing former CIA
operative, he knows
something is fishy, and gets
to the bottom of the story
through his incredible
awareness and intuition as a
spy. Lots of death and
destruction follow Mitch
Rapp, but in the end, he gets
his man. A quick and
enjoyable read for those that
enjoy thrillers and spy
novels.
Deb Kramer
PAGE 4 AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2014
GRAND RE-OPENING BRINGS HAPPY CROWDS
You can help support our
fundraising in an easy & effortless
way!
Pick up a S.H.A.R.E.S. Card at the
San Carlos Library Front Desk.
Then, simply present the
card when purchasing groceries at
Lucky Supermarkets.
Lucky will donate 3 per cent (3%)
of the sale to the Friends of the San
Carlos Library, which will be used
to support the programs and
services the Friends of the Library
provide to the community.
On October 3 or 10, join Tom
Davids, former San Carlos
Mayor and Friends of the
Library volunteer, for a walk
through San Carlos, recalling our past and considering our
future. You'll discover such things about San Carlos as:
• What is the Wheeler Plaza Project?
• Learn about the housing proposal along CalTrain tracks.
• Get a history of restaurants downtown.
• Where were the airfield and speedway originally?
• The East San Carlos Ave. Project.
• Why is Home Depot where it is?
• What’s happening with PAMF?
• and much more…
Walking History Tour
San Carlos
Hosted by: Tom Davids, former San Carlos Mayor,
Friends of the Library Volunteer
Walks Scheduled on: Wednesday, Oct. 3 – 6-8 pm, or
Wednesday, Oct. 10 –6-8 pm
Cost: No fee.
Group Limit: Walking groups will be limited to 15 adults. Children
welcome.
Distance: Distance is approximately 2 miles.
Gather at: Meet in front of the library.
Register: Register by calling Rhea Bradley at the library - 650-
591-0341 or e-mail [email protected]
Sponsored by the San Carlos Library
Friends of the Library Supports Hot Harvest Nights
By stopping by the booth at the Hot Harvest Nights
Festival, San Carlos residents buying fruits and
vegetables on August 30 learned what the Friends
of the Library do to support the library as well as be
updated on the status of the library refurbishing
project.
Pictured: Clarissa Owenby, FOL vice-president;
and Karen Clapper, chairperson of the San Carlos
Library Remodel Committee; Jan Smith, FOL
president , also participated.
PREVIEW OFFERS MEMBERS FIRST GLIMPSE OF NEW FACILITIES
Night
Left top: Robert
Esparza, Alyce
Bishop, Alison Day
Right top: Amy
Schwimmer, Claire
Earley, Rita
Hubner
Bottom left: Joan &
Tony Farndale.
Next: Ron Collins,
Donna Becht, Joyce
Strauss
Next: Chet Moore
& Jack Clarke
Right bottom: Taru
Bhatia; Emi Yaminishi
Cutting the ribbon to open the
newly renovated San Carlos
Library are: Jan Smith, Karen
Clapper, Bob Grassilli, Ron
Collins, and Chet Mulawka
Banner
Welcoming
the Library
back stretched
across Laurel
Street.
PAGE 5 AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2014
PAGE 6 AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2014
So much has transpired
since our last newsletter, the
question is where to begin.
The big happening, of
course, was the Library
reopening following the
six-month renovation. It
isn’t that we didn’t find the
temporary library upstairs
cozy, sunny, and friendly,
with our usual outstanding
staff on hand. However,
there’s nothing like “being
back home” with not only
fresh paint and new carpets,
but also fresh, new ideas. A
big thanks to the staff who
persevered in getting boxes
unpacked and books,
supplies, and furniture put
into new, functional
locations. (Even the county
library executive staff
pitched in to help.)
Within the newsletter you’ll
find pictures of the Grand
Re-Opening and of the
Member Pre-view Night. Member Pre-View Night
was special in that the over
100 members and
volunteers who attended
were given private tours of
the “new” library by Chet
Mulawka, branch manager.
The evening provided an
excellent opportunity for
members and volunteers to
socialize and re-connect in
our new, friendly
atmosphere.
In the library, you will
notice that additions are
The President’s Message
continuing to be made to
complete the next phase.
Read Michelle Loomis’
article about the Children’s
Room—and better yet—
“pop in” to see the
impressive, interactive sites
firsthand.
Moving on to December: If
you missed the Holiday
Open House, you truly
missed-out. Santa and his
helpers were present in their
“element.” The children
enjoyed giving their wishes
to Santa, who in turn gave
the children candy canes,
while parents had the
opportunity to snap special
photos. Throughout the day,
refreshments were provided
by the Friends.
In January: The New Year
was celebrated in
conjunction with the San
Carlos “Week of the
Family.” The Red Panda
Acrobats gave two
performances, which were
exceptionally well-attended
and applauded.
How were these many
wonderful changes and
By Jan Smith, President
events made possible? By
YOU! Without the continuing
efforts of the members,
volunteers, and the Board of
the Friends of the Library none
of this would have been
possible. I salute each of you!
With special thanks,
Jan
Jan Smith, President
Yes, Friends of the
San Carlos Library
has a New Logo.
Our Logo was
designed by artistically
talented Robert
Esparza, a member of
the Library staff.
We hope you like it!
PAGE 7 AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2014
.
by Clarissa Owenby
Membership Form Current period runs from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
To become a “FRIEND”, please enclose your payment in an envelope and return with this form to: Friends of the Library; 610 Elm Street; San Carlos, CA 94070 (or drop off at the front desk at the library). Also secure payment with your credit card may be made at www.scfol.org.
Friends of the San Carlos Library Membership Dues:
All contributions are tax deductible. ___New Member ___Renewal
____Individual ($15.00) ___Senior ($10.00)___Family ($30.00) ___Business ($45.00)
Additional Donation $____________ Please print: Name:___________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________
Email:________________________________________
I would like to receive the newsletter by email: _______
Making Holiday Memories at the Library--Christmas Open House
Photos, left to right:
Santa and Mrs.
Clause were
assisted by
wonderful "Elves."
Laurie Seidler is
shown at the
Friends Third
Sunday Book Sale.
Holiday Concert Adam Miller, shown at the
Holiday Concert,
Wednesday, December 11, is
a premier auto-harpist as
well as an accomplished
folklorist, historian,
musicologist and song-
collector, Mr. Miller also
plays acoustic guitar to
accompany his rich baritone
voice.
PAGE 8 AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2014
Among Friends
FRIENDS OF THE
SAN CARLOS
LIBRARY
610 ELM STREET
SAN CARLOS, CA
94070
FRIENDS OF THE SAN
CARLOS LIBRARY
OFFICERS 2013-2014
PRESIDENT
JAN SMITH
VICE PRESIDENT
CLARISSA OWENBY
SECRETARY
NANCY LAXTON-
HIGHTON
TREASURER
TARU BHATIA
EDITOR
TOMMYE HUTTO
FRIENDS OF THE
SAN CARLOS
LIBRARY
610 ELM STREET
SAN CARLOS, CA 94070
Paste stamp here.
Walking the Filoli Trails
Tom Davids, local hike leader extraordinaire (pictured on the left),
recently led Friends' volunteers on a special walk on Filoli trails. It was
a fun and informative time! Tom is also a Friends' volunteer; he puts out
all the "Third Sunday Book Sale" A-frames each month.