Friends of the Newark Free Library

Please click on the links below to view copies of the Newsletters

May 2013 Issue of the Friends of the Newark Free Library Newsletter

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j42bkxjp42z9ojv/Friends%20of%20the%20Newark%20Free%20Library%20May.pdf

February 2013 Issue of the Friends of the Newark Free Library Newsletter

https://www.dropbox.com/s/golvz04rhf6xpju/Friends%20of%20the%20Newark%20Free%20Library%20February%202013.pdf

September 2012 Issue of the Friends of the Newark Free Library Newsletter

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9bq37k8li6j16qh/Friends%20of%20the%20Newark%20Free%20Library%20September%202012%20Newsletter.pdf

More than 80 Friends of the Newark Free Library gathered on Sunday, April 7^th 2013  to attend  the annual meeting and  brunch .  This year?s program was presented by Karen Jessee and Thomas Tear.  They discussed Victorian etiquette and the fashions of 1864.  In the beginning of the program, Mr Tear modeled the vests, braces, coats and collars that were worn by a Victorian gentleman.  Karen Jessee appeared in Victorian undergarments.  As she discussed Victorian customs with the audience, she got dressed in historically accurate clothing of the time.   Ms Jessee also demonstrated how the parasol and fan could be used by a Victorian lady to discretely communicate with potential suitors.  All of the clothing that was modeled was hand made by Mr Tear.  A display case showed a collection of cameos and mourning jewelry including hair jewelry and another case showed the herbs that were used for cosmetics.  It was a wonderful program! The brunch was catered by Caffe Gelato and featured omelets made to order, French toast, a variety of salads  and of course a ramekin of their famous Gelato.  Several lucky attendees won the table decorations which were pots of heirloom tulips grown in PA by the Maple Shade greenhouse.

Any time is the perfect time to purchase a memorial or honor book for someone on your list.

Here is the wish list for terrific additions to our Newark Free Library.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mqwbna031l5l85l/Friends%20Wish%20List%20Books.doc

Download a form here and fill it out and take it to the reference desk along with your check.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbjmeayngsjhltb/Honor%20and%20Memorial%20Books%20Program.pdf

A nameplate will be placed in the book of your choice

Newark Free Library volutneers were recognized the evening of April 25, 201. 

Over 60 volunteers received a certificate of appreciation and special gift which were presented by the Honorable Lisa Diller, New Castle County Council, Volunteers volunteer in a variety of areas for the library. 

Cake and punch were served. 

Juliette Hsiao, Board member of the Friends chaired the event. 

Betty Hutchinson and Leni Markell, Honorary Chairs of the Fundraising Campaign to convert the former cafeteria space into a meeting room for library programs, community meetings, and group projects, express their sincere thanks to all of the contributors.  This very successful campaign raised $48,000. 

The dollars are in and the project is ready to begin by the time you receive this newsletter, you should be able to peek in the present storage space and see progress. 

The campaign goal was quickly achieved, thanks to six major contributions from Alexine and James Cloonan, Caroline Willis and James Cook, David and Ionanna Willis, Michael and Sharon Willis, and Cathy and Robert Wojewodzki  (all in honor of their mother, Miriam Willis), and from Mae and Bob Carter. 

The Carters have requested that the room be named The Bookends, after the four women (The Bookends) who founded the Friends of the Newark Free Library in 1966.  These dedicated women are Mae Carter, who is still an active supporter of the library, and Carmen Nelson, Marge Purcell and Miriam Willis, who are now deceased. 

Mae and Bob Carter present a check to FNFL president Judy Taggart

One hundred percent of the Board of the Friends contributed to the campaign, and the Board thanks all those who provided your support so generously and quickly. 

Upon completion of the renovation, the Friends will host a dedication for contributors and special guests.  I look forward to the opening of The Bookends room in late spring or early summer, and to having groups sign up to utilize this much needed space!

Have you ever struggled to read a phone book, cookbook, prescription directions or the current best seller not yet available in large print?  Would you like to see clearly the details of stamps, coins or pictures?

The Friends of the Newark Free Library recently presented the library with a low vision magnification reader for use by the public.  The SmartView Synergy machine magnifies and enlarges text, objects and actions, and offers a wide field of vision to easily display a document?s full width. It can be used in the library to view a user?s own materials, as well as books and other items found in the library?s collection.  Now people with vision problems will be able to view magnified images of a wide range of items, such as books, photos, instruction booklets, prescription bottles, etc. on a large clear screen.   The crisp visual display can be manipulated to suit the needs of a variety of vision problems.

The reader is available for use any time the library is open.  Though its controls are simple and easy to use, staff members will also be available to help in getting started.

 A library patron uses the device to read a small cookbook.

Gently used children's books donated by Newark Free Library patrons repeatedly overflow the attractively decorated milk crate near the book check-out counter.

The Child Development Center at DelTech,  Head Start branches, Bear YMCA reading program, and Hudson Center, Newark, are among the recipients of over one thousand children?s books distributed.

Donations are still being accepted at the Newark Free Library. Patrons are encouraged to continue to support the effort. The importance of getting books into children?s hands cannot be overstated.

The members of Alpha Chi National Honor Society of Goldey-Beacom College under faculty director, Ann Kneaval, held a children's book drive and were responsible for the donation of many of these books. 

Delaware Division of State Libraries

Delmarva Discussions

Delaware Library Association

Advocate for Libraries

News from the American Library Association for librarians and friends of libraries