By Sue Hotz

Book Sales

The first Saturday of every month, the San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) sponsors a Used Book Sale from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at the San Carlos Branch Library.

Inside the library you’ll find a selection of audio/visual materials and over 200 boxes filled with hard cover and paperback books of fiction; about 45 percent of these each month are new titles. Outside, 250 to 300 boxes are filled with children’s books and a wide variety of non-fiction such as cooking, computer, health, history, religion, sports, and travels; about 60-70% of these each month are new titles.

Small paperbacks sell for $0.50 or 3 for $1. Most hard covers are $1; all are less than $5.

Annually, we offer over 85,000 titles for your reading pleasure. Daily, you can purchase the hardback books located in the white bookcases inside the handicap entrance, AV materials shelved in the Community Room, and special books on Amazon.com.

The success of our book sales is dependent upon your book donations and purchases. Book Sales and Memberships create the $20,000 plus annual donation that SCFOL makes to the city’s matching funds which are the financial source for branch materials, programs and equipment. Over 90 percent of SCFOL’s annual income is donated to meet the branch’s needs.

Volunteers

Our Book Sales would not be possible without the dedicated efforts of Ron McFee, Jim Shields, Roberta Irwin, Ruth Coleman, Lee Ottman, and their wonderful group of volunteers who daily sort, store, and sell your donations. During the 2016-17 fiscal year, SCFOL volunteers logged 4803 hours — equivalent to 2.4 full-time employees; Book Sale volunteers accounted for 2483 of those hours — but we can always use more help between 3–5 p.m. on book sale days.

Sept. 9, at 9:30 a.m., all Friends of the San Diego Public Library (FSDPL)  members and volunteers are invited to attend the annual FSDPL meeting, held at the Central Library, and be recognized for their service. Special recognition will be given to outstanding Friends volunteers from each chapter. SCFOL’s stand-outs for 2016-17 are Ruth Coleman, Jerry Hotz, and Anne Justice. The agenda includes a summary of the year’s Friends’ activities and election of FSDPL officers.

Bette La Chiusa

SCFOL fondly remembers our friend, Life Member Bette LaChiusa, who was a board member and membership chair from 2000–2007, and volunteer extraordinaire. We thank her family for their generous donation in her memory. La Chiusa passed on April 22, 2017, at the age of 94.

Youth SRP special events

The Summer Reading Program is over. Collect your prizes while supplies last. The San Carlos Branch entertained 80 to 100 plus patrons at our weekly SRP Family-fun Special Events, underwritten by SCFOL. The winner of the summer Battle of the Book Characters was posted Aug. 17. Visit the library before month’s end to see who won. Our After School Special programs return on Wednesday starting Aug. 23, from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Youth weekly recurring programs include: Tuesday yoga and storytime; second and fourth Tuesday chess; Thursday Process Art; Friday pre-school storytime and art; and second and fourth Saturday Canta y Baila Conmigo.

To download the Youth Fall Schedule of Events from the SCFOL website, look under “Youth Activities-In a Nutshell.”

Artists

Enjoy the art of Christina Matchett and Luz Shepard through Aug. 31, during regular branch hours. Share refreshments with these lovely ladies at their reception held in our Art Gallery on Aug. 19, noon–2 p.m. A portion of all art sales is donated to SCFOL.

Have you ever been invited to see someone’s etchings? We are inviting you Sept. 7 through Oct. 5, to view the etchings of Lois Adler-Roussell, in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery.

Roussell has an extensive printing background and is qualified to teach printmaking, etching, lithography, silkscreen, jewelry design, stain glass, sculpture, advanced drawing, and oil painting to name but a few. Meet the creator of this outstanding display of etchings at her reception held in our Art Gallery on Sept. 16, noon–2 p.m.

Books and authors

Do you see yourself as an author? Start with what you know best: you! On Mondays, Aug. 14, 28, Sept. 11, 18, 25, and Oct. 2, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., the San Diego Writer’s Inc. is offering a Memoir Writing Class. Call 619-527-3430 to pre-register (required).

Aug. 25, 2-3 p.m., local author Patricia D. Benke discusses, “Qudeen the Magnificent,” which tells the stories of twelve young girls in conflict with their Arabic culture and the world around them.

Sept. 8, 2–3 p.m. Scott Turner, co-author with the late Jerry Schad of “Afoot and Afield San Diego County,” will be presenting the new edition (2017) of the book that has been called the “bible for outdoor enthusiasts.” Turner will discuss the book’s revisions and share his wealth of knowledge regarding San Diego’s extensive system of hiking trails.

Sept. 14, 12:30–2 p.m., the Library Book Club is discussing “Spool of Blue Thread,” by Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Anne Tyler. The story takes us through the lives of four generations of a Baltimore, middle-class family.

Free speaker and OASIS programs

Aug. 18, 2–3 p.m.: “Historical Novels: A Great History Lesson.” Blaine Davies leads a discussion of United States historical novels and how they can help us better understand what it was like to have experienced the dramatic events in our country’s history first hand.

Aug. 18, 3:30–5:30 p.m.: Death Café provides a safe and agenda-free place to discuss death and life over some tasty treats. It is not a grief therapy group (ages 18 and over). Please RSVP: [email protected] with “San Carlos” in the subject line, and give full name of each person attending.  

Sept. 15, 2–4 p.m.: “Traditional Mbira Music of the Shona People of Zimbabwe, Africa” presented by Lewis Peterman from the Center for World Music. Learn about the mbira, a hand-held musical instrument that evolved in sub-Saharan Africa. The instrument can produce both meditative melodies and vigorous percussive rhythms for dance.

Dates to remember

Sept. 1, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Friends of the Library only, Used-Book Pre-sale
Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.: SCFOL Monthly Used Book Sale
Sept. 4: Closed for Labor Day

When it gets hot out, remember that all libraries are cool zones.

— Sue Hotz is board member and publicity chair of the San Carlos Friends of the Library, Reach her at [email protected].