August 2012

Welcome to the FOBPL July newsletter! 

Thank you to everyone who has made our store a bustling, busy place this July! 

We recently hit 129 LIKES on facebook! 

Just a little word of mouth goes a long way for the shop under the windmill.  If you're on Facebook please "LIKE" us!  If you're not, please tell your friends about the FriendShop and ask them to like our page. Spread the word!

FRIENDSHOP VISITORS

Judith Umberger and Susan Horstman

On Tuesday, July 3, several residents from the Riverview Nursing center visited the FriendShop. Guests were treated to cookies, lemonade and a tour of the building.  Before leaving everyone received a special treat - a book of their choice!  We really enjoyed their visit and hope to have more visits in the future!

SUMMER CONCERT

On Tuesday, July 10, the Friends sponsored Gary Joiner and his band for the last concert of the summer.  Everyone enjoyed the lovely music and yummy snacks.  After the concert, FRIENDS handed out $1.00 coupons and 20 people stopped in the FriendShop to say hi and purchase $70 in books! 

Some of us were more interested in the snacks than the music.

The FRIENDS have a garden! Several FRIENDS recently got together to dig holes, move soil, pull weeds and plant plants.  Special thanks to Burns Nursery Garden Center and Landscape for providing all the plants and Pat Beeman for watering Rebecca's tree and our plants daily!

Ann Lieber and Pat Beeman pulling weeds and marking the garden design.

Judith Umberger and Ann Hollis digging holes for the plants around Rebecca's tree.

Stop by and see the beautiful garden at the shop under the windmill!

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Now is the time to plan to attend The Friends of the Boerne Public Library  Summer Spectacular Book Sale, benefitting the Patrick Heath Public Library, on Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.   Current FOBPL members are invited to arrive early to receive a members-only $2 coupon between 9am-9:30 am to use at the book sale.

A huge selection of books in many genres will be available. Many specials are planned for shoppers:   children’s books are 15 for $10, romance paperbacks for 50 cents each,  $2 off all tabletop books and buy 3 mystery/suspense get 1 free. A large selection of vintage books will be available for purchase as well a hundreds of DVDs and CDs.

Volunteers are needed to  set up the Community Rooms on  Friday, August 10, 9:00 am -12:00 pm. On Saturday, August 11,  volunteers are needed to work as cashiers, greeters, and shelf and table monitors at the FriendShop and the Community Rooms. A few volunteers will be needed to take down the Community Rooms at 1:00.  If you would like to volunteer please contact Ann Liebner at annliebner@hotmail.com or 830-537-4882 or sign up at the Library.

UPCOMING EVENTS

On Wonderful Wednesday, August 1, the FriendShop will be open from 9:00 am - noon.  Miss Constance will be visiting with her Storytime Toddlers at 10:30 am for a special  Circus Time Storytime: Big Top Tale, Tunes and Treats.  Bring your toddlers over for animal crackers and balloons for a great time!

Meeting in August

As many have said before, being a part of the FOBPL is special and fun - we have a group of like-minded, enthusiastic, friendly, and encouraging people. Our next meeting is Friday, August 3 at 2:00 pm.  Meetings are open to everyone.  Come join us!


 "Virtually anyone who loves books will find a treasure to take home from the FriendShop."

Did you see the article about the FriendShop in the Northwest section of the SA news? 

Check it out -http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/FriendShop-sells-in-style-3714353.php

Do you love books?  Do you like helping people? Have you ever wanted to work in a book store?  The Friends of Boerne Public Library have an opportunity for you!  Volunteers are needed on Friday and Saturdays in August from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  "Shop day" volunteers work as cashiers (paper and pencil), greeters, and shelf monitors.  If you would like to help, please contact Ann Liebner at  annliebner@hotmail.com or 830-537-4882 for more information.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again...working in the bookstore is an incredible goldmine of things I knew absolutely nothing about."
~ Bev Sykes

The FriendShop is now in the Boerne Visitor Center's brochure and our book sales are on the official Boerne calendar for 2013.

Here's what it says in the brochure:

The FriendShop is located below the big windmill, adjacent to the main library building.

The FriendShop opened in April 2012 and is the only book store in Boerne. It is open the

first Wednesday of every month and every Friday and Saturday from 10-2. Browsers

can view thousands of quality used books at very low prices. All genres of books

are available including a large children’s selection, mystery/suspense, vintage, cookbooks

and fiction. Paperback books are only a dollar and hardbacks start at two dollars. Those who

love books will find many treasures at the FriendShop.

Come visit the shop under the windmill!

Questions Of The Month

Since you're not having the March book sale, are you cancelling the mini sales as well?

No!  Mini-sales will continue as an important part of our revenue stream - they are a great way to get together on a regular basis to clear excess inventory, have fun and make a little extra money.  Our first book sale at the library and FriendShop was held in June and we were excited about the results!  We made $1,250 and had the space to add pottery demonstrations, a children's play area, and a food truck to encourage folks to stay and buy.  Our next book sale is in August and books sales for next year have been scheduled.  Come help out and see for yourself how we are doing.

What are your hours at the book store and why are they so squirrely?

Current hours of operation are the first Wednesday of each month from 9 am to noon and every Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.  In September, Wednesday hours will change to 10 am to 2 pm to be consistent with the weekend hours.  The only exception to Fridays is the weekend of book sales, when we will be closed to prepare.

Where are you spending your money?

All proceeds raised through sales at the FriendShop, after expenses, are slated for use by the Patrick Heath Public Library to supplement their budgets.  We fund new equipment and resources, databases for use by the public, gaming material for teens, and professional development for librarians.  In addition, the library staff always takes time to peruse all new book donations to make additions to the library collection if a book is in good condition and needed on their shelves.

This past June, sales at the book store alone were $5,000!  While some months will always be slower than others, we were extraordinarily pleased by that number.  We expect that the book store will open to longer hours and more activities ( book clubs, book signings, etc) in the future.

Please contact us with any suggetions for future newsletters at clp1958@gvtc.com.

July 2012

This is going to be a long one, so grab your ice tea and find your favorite chair and enjoy the latest news of the FOBPL!

Thank you to all who have come to LIKE the Friends of the Boerne Public Library facebook page!  Last time I checked we were at 102 and growing! If we try hard -- and tell all our friends to tell their friends to LIKE us-- soon we'll get to 1,000 LIKES. 

So what have the Friends been doing in June?

BOERNE PUBLIC LIBRARY 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

On Saturday, June 2nd the Boerne Public Library celebrated its' 60th year and the Friends were there to help celebrate.

 Ann Liebner and Judith Umberger checking in patrons.

How's this for a birthday cake?

Kelly Skovbjerg, Ann Liebner, Ariel Brooks-Stevens and Judith Umberger having a great time at the party.

Natalie Morgan gladly taking donations for the Birthday Wish List.

Constance Kermes and Nancy Paul greeting guests at the Library.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday June 6th, Miss Constance and  Miss Joyce came to visit the FriendShop with their little readers.   Look at Miss Constance dressed as a lady bug!

 Everyone sat and listened intently to Miss Constance read her bug story.

After story time everyone stayed to do some shopping and enjoy the FriendShop.

This is Miss Paige. She found the perfect  place to read her book.

FOPBL Secretary, Judith Umberger helping a little reader.

This little one had a  great view of all the activities while Dad enjoyed a cookie and coffee.

This Mom and her children found a cozy place to do a little reading.

Kylie chose to stay out of the crowd and enjoyed her BIG pencil and school desk.

FRIENDS FIRST SUMMER MINI BOOK SALE

A big Thank You to all the FOBPL volunteers for your efforts in making our recent Book Sale such a HUGE success! Proceeds from the event were close to $1,300 and will allow the Friends to continue to sponsor programs and purchase materials for our library.  

On Friday, June 8, many Friends helped set up the FriendShop and the communtity rooms at the library.    

Thanks Ann Linnartz for helping set  up the Mystery/Suspense!

The library let us use their rolling cart for our VHS which made it easier for patrons to search for their favorite movie. 

Records, DVDs, and CDs were in the community rooms along with a special on 2/$1 Romance, Mystery/Suspense and selected Health/Fitness.

What a difference a day makes! 

Saturday arrived with beautiful weather and 170 visitors.

Sandy Henning and Bernell Norton supervised the checkout desk.

Crepe Nation was on hand to feed hungry shoppers.

 The indefatigable Shirley Hord worked as our greeter at the FriendShop.

Kevin Henning and Joan Nitschke worked in the checkout area. 

Some visitors took time out from shopping to watch Brian Burckhardt from Hill Country Pottery.

Others sat down and took a mini reading break.

 While others spent time in the children's area that was set up between the FriendShop and the conference room with hula hoops, jump ropes and bubbles for a busy play area.

Thanks to Diana Tigner, Brittany Bird, and Ann Melton for helping in the play area!

Bob Hill and Dan Basarich were the cashiers in the conference room.

Super counter and greeter Sandy Johnston and Cheryl Perz 

.

SUMMER CONCERT

Tuesday, June 12 was boot scootin night at the library with Maxine Mays and the Limestone Cowboys.  The concert  was sponsored by the FOBPL.

  

Of course, none of this would be possible without our award winning volunteers! OK, I made the award winning part up, but we do have SUPER volunteers!

Sandy and Kevin Henning working with Juanita Jonas in the workshop.

Here are some of the new volunteers that have been supporting the operations of the FriendShop in the month of June.

Ann Payne

Araccli Maldonado

Sandy and Kevin Henning

Alan and Bernell Norton

Ann Hollis

Shirley Hord

Anna Ericsson

Joe and Ann Linnartz

Jeanne Bitler

Jennifer Hackett

Sheree Stevens

Lin Floyd

Faye Jarrell

Patrick Beeman

Wright Gordon

Carol Iverson

We are so thrilled to have all of you and of course we appreciate the support of our regular group of volunteers who have been helping for years.

Want to join in the fun? We are always looking for new friendly volunteers. Volunteers work for 2 hours or 4 hours shifts in the FriendShop (Fridays and Saturdays 10-2) or a hour helping to sort and price books in the workshop. Extra hands are always needed for the mini sales which will be in August, October and December. Please email Ann if you'd like to help support your library! annliebner@hotmail.com

Many items in the FriendShop that were loaned to us need to
go back to their rightful owner. If you have the following
and would be willing to donate them to the Friends we’d be
very grateful:

• Desk for check out or counter like piece of furniture
• Rolling desk chair
• Dresser or small piece of furniture to serve as coffee server
• Small rugs - ( 5’ x 7’)
• Large rugs – We’re looking for 2
• Rug Runner – 1
• Occasional chairs

Please contact Cheryl Perz at clp1958@gvtc.com if you have donations.

 COMING IN JULY - OUR SPECTACULAR, SUMMER, SLEUTH SPECIAL

Our 1 + 2 = 4 Sale!

 
To start the month off right we're having a huge sale!  Come on in and buy 3 mystery and suspense books for regular price and receive a 4th of equal or lesser value FREE!

What better way to pass the hot summer afternoons than reading a page turning, "Who dunnit?"

The next FRIENDS meeting is Friday, July 6 at 2:00.  Meetings are held at the FriendShop.

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Why aren’t you going to have your big March 2013 sale at the Fairgrounds?

There are a few reasons we came to this decision, which we didn’t take lightly because we know how much everyone looked forward to our big event.  When the FOBPL moved into their new building in December 2011, the cost of utilities and insurance became our organization’s responsibility.  Prior to that, the city covered those costs at the Annex.  Our best estimate of operating cost, for 2012 is in the neighborhood of $9000/yr.  The rental fee at the Kendall County Fair Grounds continues to increase – and we anticipate that charge for next year will be at $2250.  The City provided us 11 workers, City  trucks and gas to set up for the sale, but that assistance cannot be guaranteed in the future as the City grapples with is own budget shortfalls.  The average age of our volunteers is increasing and it has become difficult for them to lift boxes and work long hours.

Finally, when we evaluated our work last year, we came to the realization that of the 1700 boxes that were hauled to the Fairgrounds for sale, only 600 boxes of those actually brought in the actual dollars.  We were paid $400 at the end of the sale for the remaining 1100 boxes of books.  That gave us a bit of food for thought.  It seemed like there was a lot of backbreaking work (literally) that was going into the sale that wasn’t actually producing profits for our organization.  We thought it was time to try something different. Bottom line, we had to find a new direction that was more financially sound and easier work for our enthusiastic corp of volunteers.  The retail shop saves us the $2250 rental fee, is easier on our volunteers and allows us to make continuous use of a beautiful new building which we are paying to maintain and use anyway.

We thought there was a simpler way – and we are working on putting events and programs into place during our bookstore hours and during our mini book sales to make the mini-events more special than ever before.  We hope that everyone who knows us and loved our large book sale will follow us over to our new space, and we know that we are attracting new book lovers and buyers as well!  Overall, we believe that our new system is bringing positive change to Friend’s operations and we would love for anyone interested in helping us with this new direction to join the Friends and get involved!

Please contact us with any suggetions for future newsletters and watch facebook for all the latest news in the FriendShop!