Projects & Programs | Friends and Volunteers

National Library Week will be celebrated October 16 through October 20, 2017. Members will man a table during two shifts each morning to distribute goodies provided by the library to visiting patrons.

The Hospitality Committee will assist with the Chamber of Commerce’s Welcome Night on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at the Civic Center from 6:00 to 8:00.

Patti Phillips reported that 32 of our 72 members were present at today’s meeting. Three members have been removed, Carmen Constable, Joan Wolf and Rose Marie Ricci, as per their requests.

Author Luncheon
Pat Levis and Joan Sambucci recognized all members of the committee for their contributions to the Author Luncheon. In all 280 tickets were sold for the luncheon.

Baby Bags
Pauline Kretzu reported that MaryAnn Mozzo delivered a carton of baby bags this month. Sharon Cattie and Liz Genco will prepare 75 bags this month since a box of unused bags was discovered at the hospital.

Book Sale
Jeanne Pless reported that there is a need for newer books for the dollar cart and the December book sale. She stated that we participated in the Fall Block Party and that DVDs were a popular seller that day. Sign-up sheets will be available at the November meeting for the December 8 (2:00 – 8:00) and December 9 (9:00 – 2:00) book sale. Flyers for the sale will be distributed at the beginning of November with Dot Johnson’s help.

Read Across America
Barbara Riggione reported that Kathleen Woodring has volunteered to help with this year’s program. It will be held on Friday, March 2, 2018.

Special Programs
Lisa Willever will conduct the writing workshops for students at the Intermediate School. The fourth grade programs will be on Monday, October 16, at 8:30 and 11:30. The eighth grade programs will be on Tuesday, October 17, at 8:00, 10:30 and 1:00. Interested members are welcome to observe any session.

Reading Trees
Babs Stefano reported that she decorated the trees in October and Elaine Novello will decorate in November. People interested in serving on the decorating committee will meet after next month’s meeting.

Special Projects
Elaine Novello reviewed the events scheduled to celebrate the book, One Amazing Thing. On October 11, people can share their own amazing thing and on October 19, a meet the author gathering will occur. Indian and Asian items are on display in the library case.

Third Grade Reading
MaryAnn Mozzo reported that the club is planning to meet on the third Wednesday of each month. The advisor is waiting for confirmation from the office with the hope of beginning on October 18, 2017.

Old Business

Our organization sent over 40 boxes of books and school supplies to the Help for Houston drive with a fifth grade teacher at the Belhaven School in Linwood. Our contributions amounted to approximately half of what went to Houston. The $250.00 we received in cash donations was used to purchase new books (at a 20% discount) at Sun Rose Books.

Our participation in the Quiet Festival will involve help with Crossword Puzzle Tournament on Sunday, November 5, in the library atrium.

New Business

The library offers a courtesy of free DVD rentals to F&V Members that all members can utilize.

Elaine Wilson continued the discussion of the F&V history by covering the origins of the book sales.

Proposals for special projects for the 2018 budget should be submitted in writing at the December Board Meeting on Wednesday, December 6. Members are reminded that proposals should fit with our mission.

A Literacy Volunteers Meeting and Brunch will be held on October 22, 2017, from 11:00 to 2:00 at a home at 250 Bay Road, Ocean City.

Highlights of the June 2017 Meeting

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership

Forty (40) of our seventy-six (76) members were present at our June Membership Meeting. First-time guest, Elizabeth Genco, was welcomed and Doris McNorton became our newest official member.

Author Tea/Luncheon

A meeting is scheduled with the Flanders to discuss the menu for the Author Luncheon. The date for the luncheon is Wednesday, October 4, and the author will be announced in August.

First Day of Kindergarten

Materials are being ordered for the bags. The bags will be assembled on Wednesday, August 30, in Room N116 from 10:00 to 12:00. Linda Robie and MaryAnn Mozzo will meet with Sun Rose Books to firm up the free book coupon requirements. An expiration date of November 15, 2017, will be placed on the coupons.

Reading Trees

The Reading Trees—prepared by Carole Candy and Merry Wagner—feature the themes of Flag Day and Flags of the World.

Special Projects

The display case features shore bird carvings by Dave Rhodes. He is a well-known US shore bird carver and has won many shows and contests. He is self-taught and teaches classes in bird carving at the library.

OLD BUSINESS

A custom-designed, free book table has been constructed and installed by a local contractor. The table is our gift to the community and library. The contractor also cut down a study carrel to allow it to fit properly in the area for book donations.

NEW BUSINESS

A discussion of the history of the organization was begun with Leslie Clarke, an original member, reporting that the Friends and Volunteers began in 1989. One of their first activities involved preparing the library collection for a move to the new library by placing security strips in all the books. Barbara Weber continued the discussion bringing us back to a much simpler time for the organization. She stated that the author luncheons began in 1998, with only about forty people attending the first event. She also remembered that one luncheon had to be cancelled due to lack of sales—something that is unimaginable in our current, sell-out era. She recalled past scholarships and donations to Indian Reservations. The trip down memory lane will continue next month with Rose Marie Ricci and Sandy Crescenzo recalling past events and activities.