September 2012

The numbers are in and the FriendShop had another record breaking month.  As our Friend David Maltsburger said, "The secret is out!"

          August by the numbers:
                      People: ~700
                      Books: ~2,200
                      Funds: ~ $5,200







On Wonderful Wednesday, August 1st, Miss Constance and Miss April (Bubbles and Lolypop) came to the FriendShop for Big Top Tales, Tunes & Treats Story Time. Here's a little one jumping through a 'ring of fire'! Oooooo so scary!

And here's another one lifting 2 tons!  Awesome!

Everyone  enjoyed  listening to Lolypop and Bubble's stories.

Some of us needed a little 'pillow help' so we could see all the activities.

                                                                                            

Thanks for visiting Bubbles and Lolypop! Everyone had a terrific time! 

Our next Wonderful Wednesday will be on September 5th, at 10:30. Miss Constance is having a farm-themed story time with a harvest of tales, tunes, and tasty treats.  The Friends are sponsoring a petting zoo with the "Magnificent Seven" (cow,pig,pony,duck,goose,goat,sheep) and it's going to be a perfect Kodak moment! Get yer boots and hats ready little cowgirls and cowboys! It's time to giddy up!

Next up it was time for the Second Sizzll'in Summer book sale on Saturday, August 11th.

On Friday, August 10th from 9-11, volunteers set up the large conference rooms in the Library with thousands of books and audio items.

Almost done.....

....with so many volunteers the set up was completed in record time.

Afterward, volunteers attended the 'thank you' luncheon.  Pat Beeman, Sheree Stevens, Carol Iverson, Anne and Joe Linnartz enjoying a well deserved break.

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Ann Hollis, Mary Richards and Barbara Bara enjoying lunch.

The next day it was time to open the doors and oh, my stars and garters! ( I stole that from Shirley Hord). We broke records for # of books sold - 1,160, # of people attending - 175 and $ raised - $2,100.

Shoppers checking out the buy 3 get 1 free mysteries.

The History and Texana section is always popular.

Men at work.

Lad  Mingus and Armando Vasquez working the check out line.

Steady crowds all day long.

DVDs for $2 were flying off the shelf!

Mr. Book Dealer checking out the great deals in the Biography section.

Women at work.

The Children's area was busy all day with our 15 books for $10 special.

Martha Hawkins stopped by to pick up a donation for the Disabled Veteran's......

Martha Hawkins, Pat Beeman, Cheryl Perz, Ann Liebner

....and this box is headed to University Hospital Children's clinic.

After the sale it was time to clean up the conference room.  Special thanks to Pat Beeman, Kevin and Sandy Henning, Ann Liebner, Judy and Mark Olender, Kelly and Kathlyn Nicholas, Joan Nitschke, Tom Rifleman, and Ann Hollis!

The final event of the month was Bob Hill's 90th birthday party on Friday, August 17th. 

Forty people came to wish Bob a very happy 90th birthday.  Shirley Hord was the hostess for the evening. Isn't she pretty in pink?

City Council member, Nina Woolard,  proclaimed Saturday, August 18th, BOB HILL DAY!  YEAH!!!!

YEAH BOB! Happy 90th Birthday!

Dan Basarich, Past President of the FOBPL and  Mary Alice Yelverton, local columnist, catching up on the latest Boerne business.

 

Roberta Belanger, President of the Boerne Library Foundation and Celeste Wall passing out the cake.

 Bob Hill and Mary Alice Yelverton.

 Bob Hill and Cheryl Perz, President FOBPL.

Everyone had a wonderful time.  At 6:00 the  cow bell rang and Shirley announced the shop would be closing in 10 minutes - to which Bob Hill replied, "What? The party's just getting started!"

                                  DREAM'IN OF A DOOR AND A DECK




When the FriendShop was completed in December 2011 it was originally slated to be used as a storage facility.  At that time a back door was deemed not necessary.  We plan to build a deck in the near future and  installation of a back door is now necessary for access to that deck.  In addition, we feel the door is also necessary for safety due to the high traffic in the store.  We envision the deck being a pleasant venue for readers, book signings, book clubs and receptions.

We are now raising funds to install that door and build the deck.  We ask your help.  Our estimate is that it will take $30,000 to complete the project.  $3,500 has already been pledged to date.  If you would like to help, please contact Judith Umberger at jeumberger@yahoo.com to make your designated 'deck donation' today!

DONATIONS, DONATIONS, DONATIONS 

Juanita's closet

Thank you for all of your donations! We are so grateful for your support. Did you know there are 11,364 holdings  (books, CDs, DVDs) currently on the library shelves that were donated from the Friends?  And that equals approximately $225,000.0?  YOUR donations equal about 1/4 of all the library holdings! That's pretty amazing, no?

Kelly Skovbjer, PHPL Director and Cheryl Perz, President FOBPL drawing the winning ticket for the color nook.

This month the Friends donated funds to purchase audio books, ebooks, a color nook, a picnic table and a software program  totaling a little over $4,500. Yeah Friends!

Welcome to our new members this month!

• Carol Schmeltzer
• Angela Howard
• Sheree Stevens
• Glenda Wilke

TRIVIA:  Friends totaled 361 hours on their ledgers from 6/20- 8/11 not including book processing time!  WOW. Okay, WOW!

VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION!

Pat Wilson working the desk in the FriendShop every 3rd Friday.

 

Mary Morton stocking the shelves in the Art section.

Beautiful laminated posters entitled Picturing America presented by the national endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association were donated by a new Friend the other day. Mary Richards and Eny Gatewood had a hard time deciding which picture to hang first.    

Recycle book art projects made by Friends.

Sadie presenting her purple horse coloring to Ann Liebner for a free book!

Stop in the FriendShop for some quiet time.

GARDEN UPDATE

Our garden is growing!  

Joan Nitschke and Mary R. putting up the new chickadee feeder.

Pat Beeman starting the rock wall around the garden.

Joan Nitschke hanging a Goldfinch feeder.

Next time you’re in Boerne, stop by the FriendShop, “The Shop Under the Windmill” to see our vintage camera.  Mr. Orville  (Andy) Anderson graciously gave this 80+ year old camera to the FOBPL for all to enjoy.  Mr. Anderson bought the camera for $300 from Mr. John Rose of San Antonio. 

Mr. Orville (Andy) Anderson.

Mr. Anderson’s career started in Arthur, Illinois and took him to Europe during WWII.  He worked for 22 years at Wilford Hall as a photomicrographer.

The Friends are so thankful to Mr. Anderson for sharing his treasure and all the wonderful stories surrounding his camera.

Have you seen our basket of free magazines outside the FriendShop?

• Starting in September we will be open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm
• Hoedown Happiness Petting Zoo; Wonderful Wednesday, September 5th 10:30 am.
• Friends September meeting, Friday September 7th, 2:00 at the FriendShop. Everyone is welcome!
•  Book signing on Thursday, September 27th with Richard Jacome author or The River of Bones Sesquicentennial Edition.  Details to follow.

Thank you for all the 'likes'. We achieved our goal of 150 'likes' by the end of August!  Just think...if every person who liked us could get just ONE more person to like us we could be up to 300 by the end of September.  I'm just say'in......

The highest ranked post on our facebook page -

1. Fall in love with horses-

2. Buy a horse book at the FriendShop-

3. Start taking horseback riding lesson-

4. Win a blue ribbon in your first riding event-

BAM! That's how it's done in Boerne!

Garrett Stevens, son of Friend Ariel Brooks-Stevens.

What is BY FAR the most common donated book to the Friends????

Scroll down.........

 Did you guess right?

 I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"  She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose - George Carlin. 

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

FRIENDS OF THE BOERNE PUBLIC LIBRARY

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.