Newsletter I February 2024

President's Message

GOOD things are always happening at the Rockwall County Library! This month, I encourage you to visit the Library and find something new. There are programs for all ages and interests, and the staff are wonderful guides. Be sure to go to the Book Alcove, where books are available for a suggested donation, all year long!

While you are in the Library, it is essential to be quiet. Once you leave, be loud and proud of this incredible resource for Rockwall County! Join us for our Spring Fundraiser in March. All proceeds benefit the programs of the Library.

In FRIENDship,

Carrie Pickell

Library Happenings

On Wednesday February 21st, a Master Gardener will be available from 10-12 PM at the Rockwall County Master Gardener table on the first floor next to the stairs to answer all things gardening! No registration required.

Don’t you just love hearing about what others are reading? Us too! Come join us for our brand-new evening book club called "What Are You Reading Now?" We will meet once a month starting on Thursday, February 22nd from 6-7 PM.

Whether it's literary fiction, fantasy, crime fiction, history, chick lit or a current bestseller, please dish about what you are reading right now and tell us how you like it. We will meet in the Women’s League Conference Room upstairs. Ages 18+.

Check out the Library Newsletter using the link below. It is filled with LOTS of good information and more upcoming activities!

Library Newsletter

Library Hours:

Monday 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Tuesday 10:00AM - 8:00PM

Wednesday 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Thursday 10:00AM - 8:00PM

Friday 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Sunday - Closed

Rockwall County Library website

March 12 Spring Tea Fundraiser

"Hospitality"

the relationship of a host towards a guest, wherein the host receives the guest with some amount of goodwill and welcome. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Join Friends of the Library on Tuesday, March 12 as we gather together for a Hosp-i-tal-i-TEA!

We are thrilled to have local influencer and home decor extraordinaire, Shannon Wilson, who will present “the Center of Attention", a program of what hospitality looks like to many different people…Food, Flowers and FUN!

Be ready to enjoy a hearty luncheon of “Tea” foods and a delicious hot and cold Tea Bar!

Lots of Prizes and Surprises, too!

Tickets are $30 and include lunch. Click below to purchase tickets by March 5. Any questions regarding reservations should be sent to friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com.

Purchase Tickets Here

April 9 General Meeting

Friends of the Library returning guest and fan favorite, Jill Beam, is coming to entertain us with a review of Melissa Stern’s book How to be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life.

Jill will uncover who Audrey really was, and after hearing this review you will leave feeling more lovely than when you arrived!

So, wear you pearls and that little black dress for a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” style brunch on Tuesday, April 9^th.

Tickets are $20 and include lunch. Click below to purchase tickets by April 2. Any questions regarding reservations should be sent to friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com.

Breakfast at Tiffany's themed brunch menu:

Mini Quiches - Spinach and Ham & Cheese

Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

Fruit Salad

Croissants, Mini Muffins, Scones

Desserts: Sugar Cookies, Mini Lemon Tarts, Mini Cake Muffins

Black tea, Strawberry Hibiscus Tea, and Water

All General Meetings and are open to the community and require reservations.
A $20 reservation includes meeting, program, and lunch. Prepaid Tickets through website/PayPal.
Contact Pam Shirley at 214-334-0046 for reservation without lunch or to pay by cash/check.
A $5.00 reservation includes meeting and program only, for a maximum of five persons.

Purchase Tickets Here

Membership

FOL membership runs June 1 to May 31 annually. Use the QR Code to renew or start your membership today! And please consider inviting your friends to become a Library Friend!

Individual memberships are only $15 and a Family membership is $30.

Other memberships available include:

Supporter $50
Patron $100
Sponsor $250
Partner $350
Benefactor $500
Bronze Champion $1,000
Silver Champion $2,500
Gold Champion $5,000
Platinum Champion $7,500
Legacy $10,000

Friends Membership

Business Membership Spotlight

We thank these businesses for supporting Friends of the Library and the many programs that the Library offers!

Patrons:

American National Bank, Mary Grace Frasier
Blase Family Farm, Jill Blase
Coldwell Banker-Pegasus Property Group, Peg Pannell Smith
Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors, The Hamrick Team, Leslie Hamrick
Coldwell Banker Realty, Dea Kelly & Jonna Morton
Conway Company CPAs, Michael Conway
Ebby Halliday, Dee Evans
Ebby Halliday, Dell Osborn
Ebby Halliday, Karen Straughan

Each month we will continue to feature our different business partners here. If you wish to join or renew your business membership, please use the QR Code above. Your membership is GREATLY appreciated!

Announcements

We were saddened to learn of the death of one of our Friends of the Library members, Nancy Smith.

A sympathy card has been sent from Friends of the Library and a book will be placed in the Library in her memory. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her family.

Cards of condolence may be mailed to her husband:

Foster Smith

306 Meadowdale Drive

Rockwall, TX 75087

Nancy's Obituary

Proposed Slate of Officers for 2024-25 Board of Directors

A proposed slate of officers has been presented to the Board of Directors and approved for the 2024-25 year.

A vote by FOL General Membership will be held at the April 9 General Meeting.

The FOL Board of Directors serve a one year term beginning May 1 through April 30.

Proposed Slate of Officers:

President - Kathleen Evans
President-Elect - Lesli Johnson
First VP Programs - Joy Hosey
Second VP Fundraising and Special Events - Shannon Wilson and Leigh Wilcoxson
Third VP Membership - Susan Sisto and Jen Lewis
Fourth VP Business Membership - Darlene Reed
Fifth VP Communication - Carrie Pickell
Secretary - Lea Carlson
Treasurer - Karen Frederick

Details about each position can be found on the FOL website under the ByLaws and Standing Rules links.

The Nominating Committee for 2024-25 as approved by the current Board of Directors: Kathleen Evans, chair; Kathleen Broze; Leigh Wilcoxson; Margaret Davidson and Leigh Plagens.

The Hartman Award is given annually to a FOL member who has performed over and above the requirements of their position and has promoted the Library and FOL beyond required activities. The recipients of this award have been people who willingly gave of their time for the good of the Library and FOL.

The nomination deadline is March 31, 2024

Send nominations or questions to friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com

Any member in good standing may submit a nomination.
Previous Hartman recipients and the current President are not eligible for nomination.

Nominations should be in writing with a brief statement of between 100 and 175 words, giving the reasons why this member deserves to receive the award. Before submitting the nomination, the individual must be contacted for permission to place their name before the general membership for a vote. This is also an opportunity to get information to include in the supporting statement.

*If you are a previous recipient of the Hartman Award and received a piece of the Hartman China, please email friendsrockwallcountylibrary@gmail.com.

Tickets for General Meetings and Special Events must be purchased no later than seven days prior to the event.

More Good Stuff

Book Discussion Group

The Book Discussion Group will meet at 9:30am on February 12, 2024 to discuss We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. Come and join us!

March's book will be The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict. Book discussion will be on March 11, 2024 at 9:30am.

Literacy Center

The Adult Literacy Program has convenient class schedules, including weekend mornings and select evening classes. Tutors are local volunteers and there are no fees for the program classes. There is a small fee for books.

If you have any interest in volunteering as a tutor, please contact the Literacy Center at (972) 204-7705.

2023 Literacy Center Stats:

897 Class meetings held:

Citizenship - 118

ESL - 632

GED - 144

Literacy - 12

326 Students

37 Volunteers

3,684 Volunteer Hours

Book Alcove

Looking for a way to help the Library, but don't have a lot of time? The Book Alcove is looking for volunteers to help out on Wednesdays from 1:30pm - 3:30pm.

You will work alongside Lynn sorting books and helping with other tasks associated with the Book Alcove.

The Book Alcove is accepting book donations every day the Library is open. Funds raised from the sale of these items go towards Library needs and programs offered.

Friends of the Library is proud to partner with Meals on Wheels Senior Services to offer homebound clients books through the Book Alcove. Lynn Fate manages this program and carefully selects books per genre or title requests and they are delivered each month with meal delivery. Donations matter. Keep this in mind as you clean out your collections.

*Large Print Books are in demand for this program. If you have any to donate, please take to the Library and mark them as "Meals on Wheels." They can be left with the circulation desk.