STATESBORO-BULLOCH COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
P. O. Box 1265
Statesboro, GA 30459-1265
www.statesborofriends.org
Fall, 2008



The President’s Corner

The first quarter of my term as president has been exciting, challenging, as well as educational. I am learning much about the myriad of services available through our Statesboro Regional Library. What an awesome resource we have! As I work on various projects I am impressed by the wealth of intelligence and creative juices found in staff at the library as well as you members who share yourselves with us. Please feel free to become as active as you would like in our various activities. Call me (839-3150) at any time to share your ideas or time. Thanks for joining our organization.

Ceil Hardin

chardin@statesborofriends.org

The Open Book: Library News
by Cora Fay

Change is in the air at the library.
We are excited to be able to announce two technology updates:

1. Wireless internet connection

A wireless internet connection is now available at the library. Bring in your personal laptop and try it out. This wifi hotspot is a lifesaver for travelers who need to check in with home or for local folks who need a way to use a laptop away from the house or dorm.

2. Georgia Digital Downloads

If you enjoy audio books, check this out. Now by going to the library’s webpage at www.strl.info, and clicking on the GADD link at the top of the page, you can download audio books free of charge. . You may use the books for seven days via your computer or download them to an MP3 player and keep them permanently. The Statesboro Regional Library makes this service possible by joining a consortium of libraries across the state to negotiate a special subscription price.

Another change you will see soon is new biographies and new science books. Money to update these areas was provided by FOL. Thanks, Friends, for your generous donation.

Please check this column in each newsletter for the latest happenings at your
public library.

Statesboro Friends Is Now Online


Jim Hardin of Hardin Systems has moved our organization into the 21st century by donating his time and expertise to develop a website for us. You can locate this website at www.statesborofriends.org . Feel free to share ideas about additions we can make to this site.

Also, we have been linked from the Statesboro Regional Library website (http://strl.info) so when you click on About Us, there is information about Friends Groups. When you click on this box, you have the option of clicking on Statesboro which brings you to our local organization.

Jim has also developed a database we are using to keep up with your information more accurately. We greatly appreciate his generosity in sharing his talents with us.


Membership Notes from Nelda


Thank you to all of the “Friends” who recently joined or continued their membership in the Friends of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Library for the ’08-’09 year.
Friends help the library in so many ways – both with their monetary support and through their volunteer efforts. Membership dues have provided over half of FOL’s total contribution to the library over the years. YOUR membership is crucial to our continuing success in supporting the library. In addition, your efforts in bringing in new “Friends” helps our library continue to grow and expand. Extra membership forms are available at the library. When you are at the library, take a few forms and encourage others to join us! Forms can also be downloaded at the FOL website.

Thanks, “Friends”!

Nelda Bishop, FOL Membership Chair



Fall Book Sale


The Friends of the Library will be hosting the annual Fall Book Sale October 2-4, 2008 in the community room at the library. The Members Only Sale will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 2nd. The Public Sale will be from 12-6 p.m. on Friday, October 3 and from 9 a.m.-2p.m. on Saturday, October 4. If you would like to contribute books, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs or videos, please bring them to the library, before the sale. If you would like to volunteer to help set-up, clean-up or work during the sale, please contact either Charlotte Crittenden (489-8223) or Connie Sanders (690-0683).
Ruth Whitworth, Fundraising Chair



One Book, One Community


A program committee has been activated to plan another One Book, One Community project. The committee is composed of: Alice Christmas, Fran Stephens, Lynn Lilly, Connie Sanders, Shirley Jordan, Ceil Hardin, Jenny Foss, and Cora Fay. This committee reviewed literature in a variety of genre and then narrowed the list to 5 books for the community to vote and make the final selection. The community selected Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Copies of the novel will be available for purchase beginning on December 8th, at our Christmas Reception. Related activities are planned for January, 2009.



Friends’ Coffee


On Wednesday, October 22nd, the Statesboro Friends of the Library is sponsoring a Coffee at 10am in the library atrium. This will be an opportunity to mingle with other Friends while celebrating National Friends of the Library Week. Coffee, tea, and finger foods will be provided but if you have some home cooked specialty you would like to share, feel free to bring it. Also, feel free to bring a prospective new member with you.


Your Dollars At Work


Last month, your FOL donated $2,750 to the Statesboro Library for adult and children science books and the Augusta Chronicle Archives, a source used by both reference and genealogy as a local history resource. We allocated $250 in matching funds needed for a Grassroots Grant to fund activities related to the 300th birthday of Ben Franklin. National Library Card Month promotional bookmarks and posters were also funded.


Funds Needed for Automatic Doors


During our August FOL Board Meeting, Cora Fay, Statesboro Assistant Library Director, shared with us the need for the installation of automatic doors to make our library more accessible for elderly patrons, those with physical challenges or those with small children. The cost for this project is about $20,000. The Board passed a motion to support this project by matching individual donations up to $10,000. If you would like to make a donation for this project, write a check to Friends of the Library and put a note specifying “Door Project.” You can mail your checks to the address at the beginning of this newsletter. We think the addition of these doors will be a boon to our library and community.


Upcoming Events


Fall Book Sale                                                October 2, 3, 4
National Friends of the Library Week              October 19-25
Coffee & Conversation                                   October 22 @10am
FOL Board Meeting                                       November 3 @ 4pm
Holiday Reception                                          December 8 from 4-6pm


Save Trees and Money
Please provide us with your email address so we can send you future newsletters electronically by emailing our membership chair (nbishop@statesborofriends.org). This will save on printing and postage so we have more funds for our library programs. If you do not have email, do not worry, we will continue to mail the newsletter to you.