President’s Message: 

We are pleased to announce that the preparations for the feasibility study came to a successful conclusion on October 7 when the Board of Supervisors voted to approve County participation in the study.  In a matching-funds arrangement, the County and the Friends of the Library will contract with a firm which will explore the issues related to doubling the size of the Library:  zoning, environmental, parking, to name a few.  It is gratifying to continue to make progress, however slowly, toward the reality of a Library that is large enough to meet the demands of our community and that incorporates technology that was not available when the Library was built twenty years ago.  We are very mindful of costs, especially during this economic down-turn, and are exploring all options for funding the Library expansion.  The FOL has raised a good deal of money over the years and the County also has money to contribute to expansion.  We will apply for grants as well as solicit donations and several of us have just returned from the California Library Association’s annual conference, where we attended Institutes focused on fund-raising strategies.

You may have seen FOL members in the Library lobby for the last few weeks, encouraging Library users to become Friends of the Library.  We have enjoyed talking to Library patrons and have welcomed many new members.  We would like to suggest that you consider giving an FOL membership as a Christmas gift, or a gift for any other important occasion.  The price is right and you will be making a gift twice over – to the recipient of your gift and in support of the Library.

When you read Deborah’s library news you will see that the library budget for books and audio-visual materials has been greatly reduced, due to the need to cut expenses throughout the county budget.  A donation to the book budget would be very timely and greatly appreciated.

Anet Carlin, who directs the wonderful Brickyard Theater in Atascadero, is directing The San Luis Obispo Little Theater production of Intimate Apparel. Set at the turn of the 20^th century, the award-winning play presents the interplay between a seamstress and her client, and offers a touching commentary on the life in which the characters live. The play runs from February 20 to March 15, 2009.

Special Friend of the Library

Hart Impressions, is our Special Friend, this month and every month.  Anita prints our newsletter and has helped us design the several types of stationery that we use.  She devoted her creative talents and a good deal of time into incorporating our logo in note cards, letter head, envelopes and book marks.  It is always a pleasure to work with Anita and we thank her for the excellence of her work.                                                                     

                                                                                                        
Grenda Ernst, President
Friends of the Atascadero Martin Polin Library

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