Best of Friends Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter
Spring 2009
Friends of the Durham Library
2009 Annual Meeting
The Write On! class of 2008 read their works at the year-end party.
Write On! Earns the Support of a Friend
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t is a beautiful thing when a great program and a generous donor fit hand in glove. This is the case with a library program called “Write On!” a writing workshop for teens. A meeting between Write On! program coordinator Autumn Winters, development officer Alice Sharpe, adult programming coordinator Marian Fragola and the Friends’ own Jane Goodridge revealed that the goals of Write On! fit perfectly with the purpose of the Andrew Goodridge Memorial Endowment. Jane is the co-chair of the Friends of the Durham Library book sale, past treasurer of the Friends and long time library champion. She and her husband George created the endowment to honor their son by supporting programs that encourage young people to write. The endowment is managed by the Durham Library Foundation. Now, thanks to the Goodridges’ generosity, Write On! will receive the funding it needs to sustain this worthwhile program. The library began Write On! in 2006 in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) Writing Center. Write On! teaches young people to redefine their relationship with the written word by turning them into writers as well as readers. This commitment to teen literacy through writing has created a life-altering experience for over two dozen teens and twenty tutors at the Durham County Library that has lasted for more than three years. Continued on page 3
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 7:00 to 9 p.m. Main Library Auditorium 300 N. Roxboro St., Durham NC 27701 919-560-0100 All members of the Friends are invited to attend this meeting to be held at the regular Friends Board meeting.
Annual Meeting Agenda • Showcase of library projects funded by the Friends • Election of Friends Board Officers for the 2009-2010 fiscal year • Approval of 2009-2010 budget • Amendment to bylaws to change the size of the Board.
RSVP and questions: Anastasia Bush 919-560-0190 or abush@durhamcountync.gov
Durham Loves Its Library
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he library holds a special place in the heart of this community. Staff get to interact with people who look to the library for entertainment or information, and every interaction brings an opportunity to get to know the people in our community, to serve them and to be part of their lives. This is what makes working at the library so rewarding. Poring through the letters and cards we receive makes it clear how much the library is appreciated, and it highlights the many different ways people use the library. This note to the librarian in the North Carolina Room, the library’s local history collection, shows how sometimes the collection brings the past into the present in a way that changes lives: “I thank you for giving me the information I needed to find my aunt. We had a great time over the phone, and we both are looking forward to seeing each other. Thank you again for a job well done.” Gary E. The library’s programs for children generate plenty of cards, letters and pictures from happy kids. This despite the fact that there is often a little person in the lobby crying his or her eyes out because mom or dad – loaded down with picture books or puzzles – has said it’s finally time to go. But it’s not just the children who hate to leave the library. A mom who was forced to move away from the area to escape family problems wrote to a children’s librarian: “I want you to know that we miss you. My children were always excited that you took time for them and you knew
Write On continued from page 1 their names. Thank you for being so caring.” Name withheld. Some of the most compelling work happening at the library today is the help provided to customers searching for work in a sluggish economy. Every day reference librarians help people with online applications and connect them with resources. A grateful customer writes: “Three of your employees have helped me so far, a homeless person, to get employment information. They have been much more helpful than any of the homeless providers in giving specific information, such as directions, locations of things, bus information, etc.” Unsigned. For those who can’t visit the library, the library visits them. The OASIS program, Older Adult and Shut-In Service, delivers materials to seniors and people who can’t make the trip to their local library. Library staff take extra care to select materials they will enjoy. Grace P. sums up the gratitude and appreciation OASIS customers routinely convey to staff: “It would be very difficult to tell you how much your services mean to me. I have always used the Durham County Library, but I never knew how special it was until I moved to Forest at Duke. As we are able to drive less… we would be lost without you. My thanks to the library… You make my life better.” From the NC Collection to OASIS, the library is here for the community, and the letters we receive show that the Durham values its library. (This article originally appeared in the Durham News.)
Write On! workshops meet on Tuesday evenings at the Main library in downtown Durham, either in an auditorium which seats 100 or a smaller conference room that holds 20. The number of classes within the semester varies from as few as four to as many as 13. Autumn stresses that first and foremost, Write On! is not school. Founding coach and former head of the UNC Undergraduate Writing Center Kim Abels notes, “In school, you write to avoid. You think ‘I gotta write something!’ and you turn it in and hope. We wanted to show that what you write can matter.” Julie Flowerday works with Write On! participant Chelsea.
Write On! accomplishes this task by providing a loose structure based on feedback and revision. Tutors are referred to as “coaches” and create a supportive, trusting atmosphere like that in a college-level writing workshop. Peer feedback trumps adult evaluation. Students are expected to share their writing with the group and to provide constructive feedback for their peers. Coach Kristal Moore instituted a practice of ‘passing the mic’ to formalize respectful behavior within the group. One person ‘has the mic’ at a time, so the attention of the entire group is directed toward them. When critiquing a fellow writer’s work, students are expected to keep their
Join the Library’s Summer Reading Club 2009!
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hanks to the generosity of the Friends and the Durham Library Foundation, every summer the library hosts a Summer Reading Club, where children, teens and adults read to meet goals, have lots of fun and win prizes. This year, everyone is invited to Be Creative @ Your Library, which is the theme for 2009. The Summer Reading kickoff celebration will be held at the Main Library on Saturday, June 20th. The library makes summer reading fun, but the program addresses a serious problem for Durham County children. Every summer, thousands of children return to school academically unprepared because over the summer months, they’ve lost up to 30 percent of what they learned in the prior academic year. Education professionals call this phenomenon “summer slide,” and it happens because children’s minds are idle for months at a time during summer vacation. The Summer Reading Club zaps “summer slide” with events and contests that make reading so much fun, children don’t Best of Friends Spring 2009
Within that loose structure, students are given a great deal of freedom. They can respond to prompts however they like, even with art. More than anything, they are expected to take ownership of their ideas and to expand on them. Despite what parents may think when they sign their teens up for the free program, Write On! never uses grammar skills and drills or sentence structure exercises. The coaches instead emphasize the concept that the reason to care about your commas is to be able to get someone else to understand your idea. This focus on meaning dovetails with the importance of peer feedback. Abels adds, “Reading and revision is the only way you can really improve your writing. If a teen writer shares a piece and realizes, ‘Oh, I was trying to say this and they didn’t hear that,’ it helps them clarify their writing. It’s the way that real writers work.”
realize they are exercising the academic muscles they built during the school year. Last year more than 10,000 children participated in the Club, and more are expected this year. With the Summer Reading Club, the library is making great inroads toward helping children become and stay strong readers and lifelong learners. The library is also focusing on getting more adults to participate. On Friday, June 19th, there will be a free blues concert from 6-8 p.m. on the lawn of the Main Library to officially kick off the Adult Summer Reading Club. Other festivities for the summer include: Science in the Summer camps (sponsored by GSK/Morehead Planetarium), breakfast with Booker the library mascot, Birdman Dave and his live birds, Balloon Art workshops, performances by Rags to Riches and special events for the entire family. The finale celebration will take place on Saturday, August 15th. Join us!
comments specific and to offer praise along with criticism.
As a capstone of the program, students produce a booklet of poetry, prose and artwork that is distributed to the public once a year. They also participate in a public reading of their work at the library, to celebrate the book’s release. “I’m so happy that Autumn’s program is receiving the support it deserves,” said Alice. “Putting donors together with programs that fit their goals makes my job worthwhile. Jane supports this library in so many ways. We are grateful to her and to all the Friends!”
Dominique draws the cover for the book of poetry Write On! participants put together at the end of 2008.
Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter
New readers’ service coming
June 15, 2009
Durham County Library proudly announces
Book Club Kits
Everything for your next book club meeting… in a sturdy tote! • Readers guide • Suggested reading • Questions to think and talk about • 15 copies of each book Choose from 16 titles by authors such as Lee Smith, Oliver Sacks, Barbara Kingsolver and Truman Capote. Questions? Contact your local Durham County Library.
New Technology Coming to DCL By Aftab Ahmed, Technology Management Administrator
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urham County Library’s strategic objective of providing increased self-help automation for its customers is taking an important step forward in 2009. It comes in the form of self-check machines, credit/debit card options for payment of fines and fees, and coinops for copiers as well as printers. Also coming to DCL is its first automated sorter for sorting books.
Book Club Kits are made possible by a generous grant from the Friends of the Durham Library – your memberships and book sale purchases at work in your library!
Volunteers shine at appreciation event
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urham County Library volunteers “light up the library,” and for one afternoon staff had an opportunity to show those volunteers just how much they are appreciated. On April 16, library staff held a volunteer recognition reception to tell volunteers throughout the library system that we could not do what we do without them. Even the recognition event could not have happened without our volunteers, as it was funded entirely by a grant from the Friends.
If you are interested in volunteering at the library, please contact Elsa Woods at 919-490-5560 or elsawoods@nc.rr.com. You can also visit the branch where you would like to volunteer. The library has an immediate need for volunteer tutors and for people to assist adults with computer questions.
Library director Skip Auld thanked the volunteers throughout the event and presented Elsa Woods, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and the library’s “volunteer” volunteer coordinator, with flowers. Everyone had a great time, and each volunteer received a pen light that said, “Our volunteers light up the library” – just a little reminder of how appreciated they are. Volunteers enjoy good food, great company and the appreciation of library staff at the Volunteer Recognition Reception held on April 16.
How to donate books: The Friends of the Durham Library welcomes donations of books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs, except for: encyclopedias, magazines, cassettes and condensed books. You may take your donation to any Durham County Library location during regular hours. Please bring large donations (more than one box) to the Main Library garage on Tuesday morning between 9 and noon, when the Friends of the Durham Library are present and can help unload. For more info, visit: http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/friends.php. Best of Friends Spring 2009
New self-check machines should be in place this year at Parkwood and Main. Southwest will be equipped with self-check machines by the time it reopens after renovations in 2010. Additionally, machines from Parkwood will be moved to its new facility: the South Regional Library. North, East and Warren already are equipped with self-checks. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of library items is underway. Tagging at Southwest and Parkwood is complete. Main is currently being
The Library Family
tagged and should be completed soon. While tagging, staff also are also able to weed items according to criteria that keep Durham County Library’s collection comprehensive yet relevant to the needs of its community at large. Regionals are also going to be equipped with RFID-based security gates to help with theft control. All this is being made possible with the cooperative efforts of various department heads and their staff members and the leadership provided by the Durham County Library’s Administration. Kudos to all. In the information age of today, libraries continue to play a vital role. The traditional concepts so familiar to librarians combined with relatively recent technological innovations are increasingly being used to chart new territory. We are all familiar with the personal computer and Microsoft. What some might not be aware of is that search engines like Google are nothing more than fully automated, blazing fast, indexing and cataloging services harnessing the awesome processing power of the microchip. Library staff have to become increasingly familiar with existing and emerging technologies to better serve their customers, now and into the future.
Board of Trustees Al Roberts, Chair Elsa Woods, Vice-Chair Tatia Ash Joe Hewitt Allan Lang Mohammad Rashdi Michael Schoenfeld Joyce Sykes
Friends of the Durham Library Bobbie Walters-Brown, President Aviva Shira Starr, Vice President Victoria Hertz, Secretary Mary Auen, Treasurer Marge Nordstrom, Past President Jane Goodridge Roslyn (Roz) Grace Gerry Larson A. Wendell Musser, M.D. Martha Scotford Andre Vann Ann Wilder Angela Zoltners
Durham Library Foundation Willis P. Whichard, President Ann W. Craver, Vice President Bessie Carrington, Treasurer Placide Barada, Secretary Bonnie Cox W.K. Joklik Carolyn W. London Steve Pike Barbra B. Rothschild William Self Robert S. Timmins Eileen Watts Welch
Best of Friends is published in support of Durham County Library, with primary expenses for printing and distribution paid by the Friends of the Durham Library Inc.
Skip Auld, Library Director
The newsletter is produced by the library’s Marketing & Development Division. Manager ......................................................................................................................................................... Gina Rozier Graphic Designer ...................................................................................................................................... Hitoko Burke Grant Writer and Friends Liaison...................................................................................... Anastasia Bush Webmaster............................................................................................................................................................. Jill Wagy Adult Programing and Humanities Coordinator........................................................................ Marian Fragola Development Officer................................................................................................................................. Alice Sharpe
Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter
Please join us for these fun, free upcoming events. What’s In Your Attic?
Read Away the Blues Live Blues Event!
Antiques & Jewelry Valuation Event
Friday, June 19 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Outside, Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.
Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 pm Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. Grandma’s ruby ring? That porcelain figurine you love? Want to find out more about them and what they may be worth? Join us for an antiques and jewelry valuation event, like you’ve seen on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow. Get a free verbal evaluation of up to three hand-held items from certified appraisers Merritt Leigh Hampton, ISA, of Whitehall Hampton Professional Services, and Kim Piracci, CG, Jewelry Appraiser. Evaluations will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis. No firearms or weapons of any kind will be evaluated. A $5 donation to the Durham Library Foundation is requested. To learn more about the appraisers, visit whitehallhamptonps.com and www.kimpiracci.com.
As a preview to summer reading, come enjoy live blues by local blues legend Bobby Hinton! Bring a blanket and some friends and kick back with some great music. Free and open to the public.
Summer Jazz Jam Sunday, June 28 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Lane
Find great bargains at the Friends Summer Book Sale June 26-28. Thousands of books are categorized for easy shopping: fiction, nonfiction books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs. Prices start at 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardbacks. Shop early for the best selection of specially priced books in gift-giving condition and support Durham County Library with your purchases. Schedule: Friday, June 26, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friends members only—join at the door! Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Everyone welcome. Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Bag Sale $7/bag in auditorium. Location: Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701. For info call 560-0100.
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents
The Crawdad’s Conundrum
Sunday, June 14 at 3:00 pm Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St. North Carolina’s beloved Paperhand Puppet Intervention creates wondrous productions with larger-than-life nature puppets, shadow puppets, live music, and good humor. In celebration of Summer Reading, join us for this all-ages show about a feisty young crayfish who is determined to have her voice be heard. Free and open to the public.
Summer Book Sale — Friends of the Durham Library
Come express yourself! Pick up an instrument and jam with Big E’s Rhythm Section featuring: • Scott Sawyer, genre-busting guitar • Bobby Hinton, blues legend • Peter Joyner, master drums • Freeman Ledbetter, upright bass
Can’t make it to the Summer Book Sale? Check out year-round mini-booksales at East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Ln., Durham Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St., Durham North Regional Library, 221 Milton Rd., Durham Parkwood Branch, 5122 Revere Rd., Durham Stanford L. Warren Branch, 1201 Fayetteville St., Durham
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Your donations of books, CDs and DVDs are welcome at any library branch.
Featured Artists Bob Baldwin, urban jazz keyboardist Stanley Baird, renowned jazz musician Plus, young musicians Tyler Montgomery and Alan Thompson. Jam sessions will be first-come, first-served. Free and open to the public.
For more info call 560-0190 or visit www.durhamcountylibrary.org/friends.php
For more information, call 560-0268 or visit www.durhamcountylibrary.org Best of Friends Spring 2009
Friends of the Durham Library Newsletter
Friends of the Durham Library Membership:
Become a member of the Friends of the Durham Library or renew your membership:
Name Phone Address City
E-Mail Zip
Type of Membership: Memberships expire in one year (except Life memberships) q Family $25 q Adult $15
Please make your check payable and mail to Friends of the Durham Library Inc., PO Box 3809, Durham, NC 27702. Questions: Anastasia Bush (919-560-0190 or abush@durhamcountync.gov).
q Senior (over 65) $10 q Sustaining $50 q Youth (18 and younger) $5 q Life $300
q Patron $100 q Additional gift of
To Make a Donation to the Durham Library Foundation:
Donations of $25 or more to the Foundation include membership in the Friends of the Durham Library.
Yes, a stonger library makes a stonger Durham. Here’s my contribution! q $30 q $50 q $75 q $150 q $250 q Other
Name
Phone Address City
Please make your check payable and mail to Durham Library Foundation, PO Box 3809, Durham, NC 27702. Questions, bequests & other planned giving needs: Alice Sharpe (919-560-0193 or asharpe@durhamcountync.gov).
Donate online any time at www.durhamlibraryfoundation.org
(as you would like to see your name listed in our Annual Report) E-Mail Zip
Nonprofit org. U.S. Postage PAID Durham, NC Permit No. 312
P.O. Box 3809 Durham, NC 27702
www.durhamcountylibrary.org