Friends of the Library, Ukiah: 2014

Monday, December 8, 2014

Volunteer Appreciation Brunch

Ukiah Pubic Library volunteers were honored on Sunday, December 7^th at a Holiday Open House at the Ukiah Library. Friends of the Library Board President Michele Savoy acknowledged the dedication of the volunteers and thanked them for the important services they provide including: preparing for and working at the Library Book Sales; shelving books; mending books; assisting in the Children’s Room and at First Friday Art Walk events.

Volunteers, staff and FOL Board members visited with one another, learning about the tasks they each perform, while enjoying refreshments. Floral arrangements by Board member Susan Allen transformed the main room of the library with their bright holiday cheer. Gift bags filled with cookies, made by FOL Board members, bookmarks and Book Sale coupons were presented to all.

The Friends of the Library meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 6PM in the Children’s Room of the Ukiah Public Library. Meetings are open to the public.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Draft of New Bylaws; Please Leave Your Comments!

We'd love to hear your comments in the Comments Section below!
A change of the bylaws can only occur with a vote of the membership, so we'd like your two cents, please!

BYLAWS

of the

uKIAH vALLEY fRIENDS OF THE lIBRARY

ARTICLE I

Name and Purposes

Section 1.01. Name. The name of the Corporation is Ukiah Valley Friends of The Library.

Section 1.02. Purpose. The Corporation is organized for the charitable and educational purpose of generating local community interest and support of Library Services and to encourage charitable gifts for its support.

ARTICLE II

Members

Section 2.01. Qualifications. Membership may be granted to any individual that supports the mission and purposes of the organization, and who pays the annual dues as set by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.02. Termination of Membership. The Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the members of the Board, may suspend or expel a member, and may, by a majority vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel any member who shall be in default in the payment of dues.

Section 2.03. Resignation. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary; however, such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues or other charges theretofore accrued and unpaid.

Section 2.04. Dues. Dues for members shall be established by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.05. Annual Meetings. The annual membership meeting shall be held in January each year. Minimum of 10% of the membership must be present in person or by proxy to constitute a quorum. Meetings may be called by the President or at the request of at least 10% of the members by notice mailed, telephoned, or emailed to each member not less than thirty (30) days before such meeting.

Section 2.06 Monthly meetings. The monthly meeting of the board of directors will be held at the Library on the second Wednesday of each month. Fifty percent of the board needs to be present either in person or by conference call (or by proxy), for quorum.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01. Authority of Directors. The Board of Directors is the policy-making body and may exercise all the powers and authority granted to the Corporation by law.

Section 3.02. Number, Selection, and Tenure. The Board shall consist of not less than five (5) directors, and not more than thirteen (13) directors. The exact number will be determined by the Board depending on the needs of the corporation. Each director shall hold office for a term of three (3) years. One Third (1/3) of the Board shall be elected each year by the members, at the annual meeting of the membership. Directors may be elected for two (2) terms; they then must leave the Board for at least one (1) year. They may serve one more term. Ex-Presidents and board members that have termed out will be eligible for the Advisory Committee. Vacancies existing by reason of resignation, death, incapacity or removal before the expiration of his/her term shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors. In the event of a tie vote, the President shall choose the succeeding director. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of that director’s predecessor in office.

Section 3.03 Elections. Board members are elected at the January meeting. Any member in good standing may run for a board position. Names are put forward and the ballots can be done either in writing or by a verbal vote.

Section 3.04. Resignation. Resignations are effective upon receipt by the Secretary of the Corporation of written notification.

Section 3.05. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm., unless that day falls on a legal holiday. In that case the regular meeting will be held at the same hour one week later. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors will be held at the Ukiah Branch Library. The meetings shall be open to the public, and the members. We reserve the right to have a closed session for specific items on the agenda.

Section 3.06. Special Meetings. Meetings shall be at such dates, times and places as the Board shall determine.

Section 3.07. Notice. Meetings may be called by the Chairperson or at the request of any two (2) directors by notice emailed, mailed, telephoned, to each member of the Board not less than forty-eight (48) hours before such meeting.

Section 3.08. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Board, attending in person or through teleconferencing. All decisions will be by majority vote of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. If less than a majority of the directors is present at said meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting.

Section 3.09. Participation in Meeting by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board may participate in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all the members participating in such meeting can all hear one another.

Section 3.10. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors in office, establish committees of the Board composed of at least two (2) persons which, except for an Executive Committee, may include non-Board members. The Board may make such provisions for appointment of the chair of such committees, establish such procedures to govern their activities, and delegate thereto such authority as may be necessary or desirable for the efficient management of the property, affairs, business, activities of the Corporation.

Section 3.11. Reimbursement. Directors shall serve without compensation with the exception that expenses incurred in the furtherance of the Corporation’s business are allowed to be reimbursed with documentation and prior approval. In addition, Directors serving the organization in any other capacity, are allowed to receive compensation therefore.

ARTICLE IV

AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 4.01. Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 4.02. Appointment of Officers; Terms of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors at regular meetings of the Board, or, in the case of vacancies, as soon thereafter as convenient. New offices may be created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Terms of office may be established by the Board of Directors, but shall not exceed three (3) years. Officers shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified. Officers shall be eligible for reappointment.

Section 4.03. Resignation. Resignations are effective upon receipt by the Secretary of the Board of a written notification.

Section 4.04. Removal. An officer may be removed by the Board of Directors at a meeting, or by action in writing pursuant to Section 3.08, whenever in the Board’s judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 4.05. President. The President shall be a director of the Corporation and will preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall perform all duties attendant to that office, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as on occasion shall be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.06. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall be a director of the Corporation and will preside at meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of or request of the President. The Vice-President shall perform other duties as requested and assigned by the President, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.07. Secretary. The Secretary shall be a director of the Corporation and shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors in the books proper for that purpose.

Section 4.08 The Treasurer shall be a director and shall also report to the Board of Directors at each regular meeting on the status of the Council’s finances. They shall work closely with any paid executive staff of the Corporation to ascertain that appropriate procedures are being followed in the financial affairs of the Corporation, and shall perform such other duties as occasionally may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.09. Paid Staff. The Board of Directors may hire such paid staff as they deem proper and necessary for the operations of the Corporation. The powers and duties of the paid staff shall be as assigned or as delegated to be assigned by the Board.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

Every member of the Board of Directors, officer or employee of the Corporation may be indemnified by the corporation against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred or imposed upon such members of the Board, officer or employee in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding to which she/he may become involved by reason of her/his being or having been a member of the Board, officer, or employee of the corporation, or any settlement thereof, unless adjudged therein to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of her/his duties. Provided, however, that in the event of a settlement the indemnification herein shall apply only when the Board approves such settlement and reimbursement as being in the best interest of the corporation. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition and not exclusive of all other rights which such member of the Board, officer or employee is entitled.

ARTICLE VI

ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Section 6.01. Establishment. The Board of Directors may establish one or more Advisory Boards and Committees.

Section 6.02. Size, Duration, and Responsibilities. The size, duration, and responsibilities of such boards and committees shall be established by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

Section 7.01. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be January 1 - December 31.

Section 7.02. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, orders for the payment of money, bills of lading, warehouse receipts, obligations, bills of exchange, and insurance certificates shall be signed or endorsed by two members of the board of directors or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or of any committee to which such authority has been delegated by the Board.

Section 7.03. Deposits and Accounts. All funds of the Corporation, not otherwise employed, shall be deposited from time to time in general or special accounts in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors or any committee to which such authority has been delegated by the Board may select, or as may be selected by the President or by any other officer or officers or agent or agents of the Corporation, to whom such power may from time to time be delegated by the Board. For the purpose of deposit and for the purpose of collection for that account of the Corporation, checks, drafts, and other orders of the Corporation may be endorsed, assigned, and delivered on behalf of the Corporation by any officer or agent of the Corporation.

Section 7.04. Investments. The funds of the Corporation may be retained in whole or in part in cash or be invested and reinvested on occasion in such property, real, personal, or otherwise, or stock, bonds, or other securities, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may deem desirable, without regard to the limitations, if any, now imposed or which may hereafter be imposed by law regarding such investments, and which are permitted to organizations exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE VIII

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Section 8.01  Definitions.

1.            Interested Person

Any director, officer or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.

2.            Financial Interest

A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly through business, investment, or family:

               a.      An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the organization has a transaction or arrangement.

               b.      A compensation arrangement with the organization or with any entity or individual with which the organization has a transaction or arrangement, or

               c.      A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the organization is negotiating a transaction arrangement.

Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial. A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest.  A person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.

Section 8.02  Procedures.

1.            Duty to Disclose

In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of the committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

2.            Determining whether a conflict of interest exists

After disclosure of a financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, s/he shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.

3.            Procedures for Addressing a Conflict of Interest

               a.      An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, s/he shall leave the meeting during discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.

               b.      The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate the alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

               c.      After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

               d.      If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the organization’s best interest,  for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

4.            Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy

               a.      If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

               b.      If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

Section 8.03  Records of Proceedings.

The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:

               a.      The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.

               b.      The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

Section 8.04   Compensation.

               1.      A voting member of the governing board who received compensation, directly or indirectly, from the organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.

               2.      A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.

               3.      No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

Section 8.05   Annual Statements.

Each director, officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:

               a.             Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy,

               b.            Has read and understands the policy,

               c.             Has agreed to comply with the policy, and

               d.            Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.

Section 8.06   Periodic Reviews.

To ensure the organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall be conducted annually, at a minimum, and shall include the following subjects:

               a.      Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and are the result of arm’s length bargaining.

               b.      Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations, if any, conform to the organization’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payment for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.

ARTICLE IX

BOOKS AND RECORDS

Correct books of account of the activities and transactions of the Corporation shall be kept at the office of the Corporation. These shall include a minute book, which shall contain a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of these Bylaws, and all minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors. (Currently the basement of the library).

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, provided prior notice is given of the proposed amendment in the notice of the meeting at which such action is taken, or provided all members of the Board waive such notice, or by unanimous consent in writing without a meeting pursuant to Section 3.08.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Grand Jury Foreman Responds

By Finley Williams, Foreperson, Mendocino County Grand Jury

Originally published in the Ukiah Daily Journal, 09/07/2014 08:13:13 AM PDT

To the Editor:

Over the last few months, the 2014-2015 Grand Jury has watched as a number of reports issued by the 2013-2014 Grand Jury have attracted considerable comment from county officials, the press and the public. Most of the comments from the county officials have been critical of the manner in which the reports were written, the tone of the language used in the reports, the presentation of the issues in the reports and the alleged truthfulness of the facts and conclusions contained in those reports.

There has also been expressed concern by the press and the public about why the Grand Jury does not provide responses to comments made by the public and public officials regarding the reports. There is no provision in the law that allows the Grand Jury to make such responses. The purpose of this letter is to inform the public about the roles and responsibilities of the Grand Jury and the procedures that we are required to follow.

In Mendocino County, the Grand Jury is selected each year from volunteers who file an application with the Superior Court to serve on the Grand Jury. These volunteers are carefully interviewed and have background checks to insure that they are qualified to serve and bring an open mind to the process. The selection process helps to inform the Judiciary as to the fitness for duty of those who are willing to give generously of their time and abilities to fulfill the constitutionally mandated duties of a Grand Juror.

Once the selection process is concluded, the Supervising Judge instructs the Jurors as to their duties and responsibilities in the charge read to the Jurors after the oath of office is given. In part, the charge requires the Juror not to discuss anything they may hear, see or determine while serving their one term as a Juror with anyone — forever. The only way any information may leave the Grand Jury is through the report process.

In Mendocino County, the size of the jury is 19 people. No topic is selected for investigation and no report is approved for issuance without the concurrence of at least 12 of those Jurors. The Jurors come from all walks of life. Many have had professional careers in fields ranging from law, taxes, and corporate positions at the highest level to construction, farming, ranching and homemakers. What ties them together is a desire to shine a light on the decision making and financial process in our local governments. This light is intended to allow the public to know, without the filters of self-serving statements from our local public servants, what our local officials are doing with public monies and the public's trust.

In short, the Grand Jury is the public's watchdog.

State law governs the manner in which the various reports are written and what retention of records is required or allowed. While each Grand Jury is an independent entity intended to exist for only a single year, each Grand Jury is permitted to pass on the next Grand Jury any pertinent documents that were collected in an investigation, suggested topics for the next year and the responsibility to collect and publish the responses to the reports issued by the outgoing Grand Jury. What may not be passed on to the next Jury is any evidence of testimony heard or even the identities of those persons interviewed. This is in order to protect the identities of witnesses and guarantee the confidentiality of the Grand Jury process.

This guarantee of confidentiality is the basis of what makes the Grand Jury an effective watchdog. The knowledge that a person may report misuse of funds, violations of law and abuse of position without fear of retribution from those who have done any of these things means that the public gets to know what their elective and appointed officials are doing. All this is to insure the efficient and orderly working of government to the benefit of the public that places their trust in those self/same officials.

Each fact printed in a report from any Grand Jury is carefully vetted to make sure that the fact is indeed a fact. Where a newspaper might use two sources to establish a fact, a Grand Jury must use a minimum of three sources to start to consider a statement as a fact. In practice, the Grand Jury will interview many more than three people to establish whether the statements made in the interview of any one person is a fact. Most facts are also supported by documents that may be obtained by a simple request for the document or by subpoena when necessary.

Interviews are not conducted with just one level of employee within any government department or division. Most levels are included in the interview process, from the top level official in the department to those working at the front line of the department. This is done to make sure that what is being told to the Grand Jury is not just the grousing of a disenchanted individual, but is what is actually being done in the department.

Each report contains the facts that the Grand Jury used in reaching the determinations listed in the Findings and Recommendations. When those facts are disputed by the responding parties, the only way the Grand Jury can establish the veracity of the prior Grand Jury's report is to repeat the investigation. This has been done on occasion in previous Grand Juries with the result being a determination by the subsequent Grand Jury as to the complete truthfulness of the prior Grand Jury.

This vindication was not the result of the same Jurors saying we did the job right, but unrelated Jurors saying, the facts as stated were properly established and are true. This is the backbone of all Grand Jury work. The process is followed to prevent the issuance of a report based on innuendo and falsehoods.

It should be noted that each report goes through a considerable review process before it is published. This process includes multiple reviews by the Jurors of what is in the report and how the facts, findings and recommendations are expressed. Then before a report is sent for independent review, an exit interview is held with the concerned department head to make sure that if a fact has changed from when the investigation was started and the report written, that change is reflected in the report.

When the independent review is conducted, the proposed final report is carefully and thoroughly examined as to whether all facts expressed were properly triangulated or supported by adequate documentation. Everything is double and triple checked. Once the report clears this review, it is placed before the Full Panel of Jurors for discussion and a vote.

As I mentioned earlier, the minimum vote for approval of a report is 12 of 19 Jurors. In practice, if a report receives only 12 of 19 votes to publish, the report is placed back on the table for further consideration. In my experience, a report seldom is approved with less than 13 of 19 Jurors. Every care is taken to make sure that what the Grand Jury is reporting is accurate, up-to-date and may be trusted by the public as to the truthfulness of the final product.

Following the vote of the Full Panel, the reports are forwarded to County Counsel and the Supervising Judge for their review as to legal sufficiency and whether the Grand Jury has libeled anyone in the reports. If they have a concern or question about a report, the issue is brought back before the Full Panel for consideration of the comment from either party. A response is generated and supplied to both County Counsel and the Supervising Judge. If a change is warranted in a report, the Full Panel will again consider the report with the changes and the corrected report is again sent to County Counsel and the Supervising Judge. Generally the report is approved or consented by the Supervising Judge and the Grand Jury sends a copy of the report to those individuals, boards or councils who are required to respond.

After 48 hours, the reports are posted on the Grand Jury website for the public to review at www.co.mendocino.ca.us/grandjury .

As you can see from the process described, no report goes out without a lot of work and efforts insuring the facts are accurate, the analysis of the law is appropriate and the conclusions reached are warranted.

The process requires the Grand Jury to use only the facts obtained in the investigations as the basis for its reports. There is no advantage to the Grand Jury to provide anything other than the facts.

The 2013-2014 Grand Jury devoted thousands of volunteer hours to determine and verify the facts involving the Mendocino County government and agencies before publishing its reports. The Grand Jury investigations were conducted fairly and honestly, and there was no benefit to the citizens who devoted their time and energy to preparing the reports. I urge the community to consider this when weighing some of the responses to those reports made by our government agencies and public officials.

– Finley Williams, Foreperson, Mendocino County Grand Jury

August 2014 at the Children’s Library

by Judith Kayser, Children’s Librarian at The Ukiah Valley Library

August was a fun and busy month thanks to lots of great programming events including a life-sized popular book character, Pete the Cat, live animals, (see above 6foot alligator), and a finale celebration with ice cream sundaes!

With over a thousand patrons coming to the library for the Summer Reading Program, we’ve been really thankful that our new furniture is on wheels so we can push the shelves back when we need room for dancing! I thank Jen Lyon for helping with the Kid’s Farmers Market, which was a great success thanks to her marketing savy and “gardening/farming” friends in the community.

The weeding of the nonfiction section in the Children’s Library has been completed with the help of our awesome volunteers and it’s such a great accomplishment and feeling to know we can begin adding current, age appropriate, and attractive information on the shelves for children!

The departure of Katie Cason, our Vista volunteer, left a void in our Preschool program. Katie and I were a team for Bilingual story time, and we had lots of fun. I really miss her smiling presence! I’m happy to say that just today I met a new employee at First Five who will, hopefully, take over many of Katie’s jobs including helping with story time! I will be talking with her this week about collaborating with me on Imagination Library and story time.

The story time at the Farmer’s Market has been so much fun with staff and volunteers reading stories to kids. The UVFriends are selling some books/memberships and getting some great publicity with their presence as well.

Thanks to all that helped make Summer Reading such a success. Especially, of course, Ukiah Valley Friends, as well as Mountain View Assisted Living, and Elizabeth Kalen, our Summer Reading Program coordinator.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Notes from the Teen Room - by Melissa Eleftherion Carr

Melissa Eleftherion Carr is the new
Teen Librarian at
the Ukiah Valley Library

School is back in session, and the teen room at the Ukiah Library is jammin! Our new books have been flying off the shelves, teens are recommending books to one another via the whiteboard <be still my librarian heart>, and our games are perpetually and haphazardly askew – as they should be.

Thanks to our awesome Friends group, I’m in the process of updating the furniture in our teen space! I was able to purchase a new laptop station which is due to arrive any day. I’ve also purchased new egg chairs and gaming headsets which will be made available when gaming gets going. Let’s get our gaming going! The Ukiah Library is grateful to accept any games and gaming systems our community is able to donate. With our community’s support, we will be able to provide weekly “Game Nights” for our teens. Our newly-formed gaming committee will be devising fun ways to implement gaming at our library.

The Ukiah Library is partnering with Ukiah High to offer a monthly book club for high school students. The curriculum was created by Roseanne Wetzel, and will be developed and implemented by Roseanne, myself, and Chris Douthit - Ukiah High’s librarian. I’ll be attending Back-to-School Night at Ukiah High next Wednesday to invite students to participate as well as promote the library’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG) and any upcoming events.

Our teen advisory group (TAG) is currently comprised of six active members (+ three new members signed up this week!), and has been super engaged in promoting the TAG at school via distributing fliers and asking teachers to make announcements in their classes. At our last TAG meeting, we discussed a variety of options for a Back-to-School craft programming idea, and opted for a Make-Your-Own Duct-Tape Smart Phone Case workshop. We also brainstormed ways to improve our signage in the teen room. The TAG suggested we host a Sign Design Night – where teens can collaborate on the new teen space sign by filling in a grid or area of the sign. This method would enable the teens to contribute to the design of their space while working together and sharing responsibility.

New to the teen room is a ballot box where patrons can vote to Name That Teen Space - a contest compiled of the myriad suggestions we’ve received thus far. So come in and cast your ballot! Entries will be accepted until September 30^th. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

FoL at Ukiah Farmers' Market Saturday!!!

We are at it again!!!

Pay what you will at the Saturday Farmers' Market in Ukiah!

We will have boxes of children's books, and loads of end of Summer reading for free!

We will be fund raising to support the Ukiah Valley Library, of course... So bring your checkbook! Clean out the change from the couch cushions! Take all that cash you find when doing laundry! And come on down and get some books and make a donation!

See you Saturday!

...come on down and get yourself a treat!

Friday, August 8, 2014

In Praise of Kid Lit

by Benj Thomas

Mrs. Summerfield, whom I remember as frail and dressed in pastels, was the children’s librarian in the New England town where I grew up. The library was a three-minute walk from my house, and from the age of seven on I made the trip weekly at least, with an armful of books. Mrs. Summerfield and I talked and agreed about books and authors – Marguerite Henry, Stephen Meader, John Tunis. I read constantly, more perhaps than was healthy, but books were my friends, repeat visitors to my bedroom, and even today recollected and even re-read with pleasure and gratitude.

Flash forward, to a point in my life when my children were all under five, my father was visiting, and I was immersed in what it meant to be a father (and a son). The book I was reading at the time was Rosemary Sutcliff’s The Lantern Bearers. This remarkable novel, written for adolescents, is about post-Roman Britain, but it’s also about fathers and sons. The children’s librarian in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where I was living, responded to my appreciation of the book, saying, “There are a lot of great books in this building and many of them are in this room.”

Bibliotherapy is the ten-dollar word for what I was doing, that is, gaining insight into my own issues through what I was reading. As a teacher of history to middle schoolers I practiced this all the time, using novels in my classroom whenever possible. Teaching about the American Revolution was better and more meaningful with Howard Fast’s April Morning, but it was also a really good book about adolescence and rebellion; the Great Depression came alive when kids read Irene Hunt’s No Promises in the Wind, but they also could reflect on hardship and social injustice. Such books not only let my students “walk in the shoes” of someone from another era, they provided these kids with a different and engaging perspective on their lives.

(Two other books also written for kids deserve mention as good and gentle vehicles for consideration of death. E. B. White’s masterpiece, Charlotte’s Web, is one; the other comes from Ms. Sutcliff once more, Knight’s Fee. I have read these two at least five times, and I feel in me a readiness to read them again.)

For those of us who (in theory) are not kids any longer, spending time with good literature written for kids is time well spent, informative and highly relevant to all of us. It’s easy enough to avoid the drivel that is mass-produced for the teen market and find books that are meaningful and well written. Your librarian can help you, much as Mrs. Summerfield helped me 65 years ago.

***