Whisky Tasting

 

“May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live”

A special tasting and seminar of Laphroaig as a fund raiser for the Rochester Public Library will be taking place on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Plummer House (1091 Plummer Lane SW, Rochester, MN)

Born in Tallahassee, Florida this true Florida native now calls the Midwest her home.  Well-known in the Minnesota/Wisconsin market Stacey has represented many of the leading Scotch brands in the spirits industry.  Today however, her true passion for the Islay region has paved the way to her present position  as  a Laphroaig Brand Ambassador and Official Minnesota Protector of the Peat.

For more than 10 years Stacey has lead hundreds of presentations for consumers and now focuses her area of expertise in Scotch whisky tastings for bartenders, social organizations and novice scotch enthusiasts alike.  Both informative and entertaining,  her presentations have made her an in-demand speaker and spokesperson.

Stacey’s love of Laphroaig  will not be mistaken as she walks you thru the fascinating and seductive world of Scotch whisky.

Slainte!

WINTERFEST BOOKSALE

Don't forget next week we have a fantastic booksale in the Library Auditorium during Rochester's Winterfest celebrations.

We have a fantastic selection of fiction, hardcover and paperback, an amazing array of non-fiction items, including vhs, cassette tapes, cds, dvds and audio tapes (the latter will be in the Twinkle room).

We will also be collecting food donations for Channel One on the first day of the sale - so if you bring in a non-perishable item you will receive a discount on your purchases!

AND remember, the Friends get in 30 minutes earlier to peruse the great selection! Time to join now!

Donated books

What Happens to Books Donated to the Library?
After being sorted by the Friends of the Library for use in the Library, the book store, or sales by the
Friends, books and non-print materials have been donated by the Friends of the Rochester Public Library
to these schools, nonprofit agencies, businesses, and families.
Some of these places are:

•  Hobson City Public Library in Alabama: Note: Shirley Taylor, a former RPL librarian, is director of this library
•  Pine Island Elementary School: 200 books for school library
•  Longfellow Elementary School, Rochester: about 100 beginning reading books
•  Pinewood Elementary School, Rochester: about 200 books for school library
•  Friedell Middle School, Rochester: about 100 books for school library
•  Ben Franklin Elementary School, Rochester: 50 books to Mr. Greseth’s fifth grade room
•  Rochester Central Lutheran School, Rochester: about 600 books for school library.
•  Aldrich Nursery School, Rochester: picture books and tapes
•  PAIIR Rochester Public Schools: picture books and tape
•  Hawthorne Education Center: books on adult literacy
•  Read with me books program for every baby born in Olmsted County
•  Imagination Library: In each Read with Me bag, the family receives an application to get a free book every month for five years from Dolly Parton’s program
•  Language Sprouts, St. Paul, MN: about 600 foreign language books and VHS tapes
•  Korean Charter School, St. Paul/Mpls: 50 Korean children’s picture books (opening 2012)
•  Channel One Food Shelves, Rochester: approximately 250 books per week are given out
•  Community Food Response, Rochester: approximately 350 books per month are given out
•  Rochester Kiwanis Clubs 75 books for book drive and distribution
•  Gift of Life Transplant House, Rochester: program just started
•  Hope Lodge, Rochester: approximately 25 audiobooks
•  Intajuice, Rochester: approximately 50 books
•  Olmsted County Detention Center and Jail: books for inmates
•  Dunn Brother’s Coffee, Rochester: about 300 books for customers to take
•  Operation Paperback: over 3000 books have been distributed to soldiers across the world and their families
•  The Retreat, Wayzata, MN: books on addition treatment for programs
•  Wabasha Motel and RV: books for lobby bookshelf
•  Red Lake Indian Reservation, Red Lake, MN: about 150 books for early childhood education program
•  Wit, Wisdom and Wine Gala: library books for silent auction at fundraiser.

Crafters Needed to Repurpose Books

Crafters Needed
Several of the volunteers and library staff members have been working on note cards and blank cards to
sell in the Bookstore. The Friends would like additional volunteers who like to work on craft projects
to step forward and create note cards, journals, matchbooks, or anything else that you fancy! The spiral notebooks pictured here were made with book covers from books that were too damaged for the store. If you are interested in helping with this project, contact Elizabeth Ritman.
The crafters met for the first time on September 6, and have continued to meet monthly to exchange ideas, help with other crafts (some add ribbons, others stickers, etc!) but would welcome new members. The group would also be glad for any donations of ribbon, yarn,beads, and buttons. Most of the work is accomplished at home, meetings are not mandatory, but we are looking for crafts especially to sell during the holiday season!

Friends Membership

Recently you may have received our annual membership letter asking you for financial support. Stop by the Library or the Bookstore if you did not receive this mailing and ask to join! We are grateful for your partnership with us, especially in this challenged economy.
Your annual dues and contributions are important because they help the Friends and the Library (and hence the community) in many ways: buying or replacing equipment, sponsoring innovative programming, promoting early childhood literacy, etc.

What will we do for you in return?
You get a 20% discount on used books at the Friends Book Store,

early admission to the RochesterFest book sale and other sales,
plus four newsletters throughout the year to keep you informed about Friends activities.
Please be generous. Your renewed commitment to the Library and the Friends is urgently needed and will be deeply appreciated.

Your donation is tax deductible.
Thank you.

Unusual and Special BOOKS Display

We have an amazing eclectic selection of older unusual and special books - come browse our display case and find a special gift. It is never too early to start thinking about that Christmas gift that has eluded you in the past! This display changes monthly so don't miss out!

Visiting Author Series: Bonnie J. Rough

Paige can't wait, and has patiently waited ;-), to join Bonnie Rough! She has dressed for the occasion and looks forward to welcoming you to this Friends' Event! Hope to see you there TODAY for a very informative session.

September is... Literary!

September is:
National Literacy Month
National Library Card Sign-up
September 10: Friends Bookstore Second Saturday Sale
September 17 - Best Selling Books Day
September 22 - Friends Bookstore Mystery Tea Are you coming? Facebook it!
September 22 - Visiting Author: Wendy Webb  Are you coming? Facebook it!
September 24/25 - National Book Festival (sponsored by the Library of Congress) on the National Mall
September 24/ October 1 - Banned Books Week

Friends' Bookstore Mystery Tea

Unusual & Special Books Stewardship Team

Summer Activities

Offered over 100 items at RochesterFest sale table in RPL lobby; sold ~$700 worth 

            

 Highlights of the Rochesterfest Sale:

• Tomie diPaola child's book in unknown language [turned out to be Japanese]
•  Handmade Chinese scrapbook
• Little Black Sambo  (1972)
• Very old autograph book              
• Very large & heavy art books
• Wanda Gag's “Three Gay Tales from Grimm” 
• Leftovers redirected to the
  bookstore (collectible shelves and general stock)
  display case (>$100 sold from there)
  to-be-listed-on-Amazon queue
  U&S storage cabinets for future displays/sales

Sold two collectible children's books on Amazon.com:

• Broom Closet Family   ($35)
• How the Mole Got His Pockets   ($150)

Listed old calendars for sale on Amazon.com

Installed Little Books display in glass case

Forwarded “Marriage License Bonds of Accomack County, Virginia from 1774-1806” to the Clerk of Court

  in Accomac, VA

Researched/evaluated/priced/dispensed several hundred books

Unusual & Special Books Stewardship

WHAT is the Unusual & Special Books Stewardship Team?

Books that are donated to the library are generally sorted as:

            Possible additions to the Library collection

            Suitable for sale in the Friends Bookstore

            Of minimal value and set aside for a forthcoming garage sale.

But some special books are referred by sorters to Friends members who list them on web sites for sale to a vendor or online buyer.  These books may be specialized by their subject content, age, author, or binding; some are rare or collectible.  If offered through an online book selling service that reaches an international viewership, these books can bring the Friends a much higher price than could be charged in the Bookstore. 

With a sense of stewardship, the Friends also wish to preserve books and information by making

it available to collectors, scholars, students, organizations, and individuals who value their purchases and continue to make use of them.

WHO Are the Unusual & Special Books Stewardship Team?

Many Friends  may not realize that we (U&S) aren't just about selling books online; our activities include:

• Research, evaluate donated books and direct them to appropriate channel
•  Stock, display, and maintain Collectible shelves in Bookstore
• Maintain selling presence at FOL RochesterFest activities: 
• Silent Auction (2001-2006) and sale tables in Lobby
• Sell at occasional other Friends sales
• Display and sell books from the created-for-us glass cabinet in RPL Lobby
• Select and donate books for other RPL-related events: 
  Wit-Wisdom-Wine, Plummer House, Assisi Poets, etc
  Sell books online (mostly on Amazon)

Catch your cat reading!

There is a week left to submit a picture of your cat reading.
Entries may include photos or drawings/pictures of your pet or another.  Don't forget that our next contest will be a photo/entry of any pet, especially considering the dog days of August.
One of our entries is reading Garfield:

See Official Rules

Summer Reading

Celebrate the Reader!

How do you read? Is summer reading different from any other time of year? do you find those hefty paperbacks for the beach? Do you download your books and browse our electronic library instead of our paper one? Do you keep a reading journal?
It is time to Cheer the act of reading itself!
Grab a great book (at our Bookstore!) and slow down, relax and enjoy:
a transformative textbook
a tome of challenging historical fact or fiction
a beguiling memoir
a slim volume of thoughtful poetry
a whirlwind online romance or chic lit
a downloaded mystery/thriller

an audible travel guide for your journey (figerative or literal)
And GUESS  WHAT? they are all available at ridiculous prices in our bookstore, or free at our library!

The Sisterhood of Books - Pat Stephenson

Princess Pat with Mary Barrett

It is lovely to recognize our wonderful volunteers. Pat Stephenson has been such a magnificent supporter of the Rochester Public Library and a great Friend to all. Many people asked after the song "Sisterhood of Books" that was written for Pat's award last month so we have reproduced it here for you! All together now!
Pat's Song
To the tune of "There is a Brotherhood of Man"
from the play How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.

There is a sisterhood of books
A benevolent sisterhood of books
And tho she won't be here
Toward good books us to steer
Pat leads the sisterhood of books.

A teacher newly hired has come
To a room without a book, not one
Then Pat is on the scene
With fiction unforseen
Pat leads the sisterhood of books

A reluctant child appears to seek
Another AR book, a goal to meet
And Pat just waves her arm
Directs with all her charm
Pat leads the sisterhood of books

When going on a trip you need
That certain special book to read
She'll take you by the hand
And give suggestions grand
Pat leads the sisterhood of books.

There is a sisterhood of books
A benevolent sisterhood of books
And tho she won't be here
Toward good books us to steer
Pat leads our sisterhood of books!

AND - if you are missing Pat's suggestions for books try the  Readers Choice (200 Book Club Favorites) by Victoria Golden McMains (2000) who collected suggestions from more than 70 reading groups nationwide. There are some interesting plot synopses with intriguing quotes and questions for your bookgroup. There are a number of great blogs too.

SE MN Poets

April 16th, Saturday, is a busy Poetry Day here in Minnesota. First there is a Spring Meeting at Assissi Heights in Rochester, followed by a reception and reading in Zumbrota at Crossing's.
Crossings’ Poet-Artist Collaboration reception and poetry reading will begin at 7pm. One of our Friends, Sue McMillan, will have one of her poems transformed into a painting.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the evening and the exhibit, which will be on display April 4-30.

Friends Book Sale - April 2,3rd

Friends BOOK SALE

Join us for the Annual

SPRING CLEAN UP SALE!

April 2nd, Saturday the doors will open

at 1.30 for Friends Members

The Public may attend the sale

from 2:00 to 5:00 pm

April 3rd, Sunday Sale hours

will be 1:30 to 4:00 pm

Hope to see you there!

Spring Clean-up Booksale

Spring Clean-up Booksale

Author Visits - Rochester Public Library

 A very proud parent holding her daughters' first published book!
This will be an upcoming Author Visit in the Library in June.
The book is called the Girl in the Garden, by Kamala Nair, who grew up in Rochester!
Our book group is anxiously awaiting publications and their own copies!

2011 Friends' Booksales

2011 Dates for the Friends of the Library

Book Sales

RPL Auditorium

Friends' members get into the first day of each sale 1/2 hour earlier than the public. Become a member today and get in early. Friends' members also get 20% off in the Friends' Bookstore.

February

Winterfest     

Monday, February 7   

Friends 10:30 a.m.

Public  11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

                        

Tuesday, February 8      

10:00 a.m. -  3:00 p.m.

This sale raised nearly $2,000. These funds will go towards our goal of purchasing the much needed self-check machines for the library.

                                                          

April

Saturday,  April 2       

Friends 1:30 p.m.

Public   2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April  3        

1:30 p.m.  -  4:00 p.m.

June

Rochesterfest  

Wednesday, June 22          

Friends  9:00 a.m.

Public     9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

                      

Thursday,  June 23   

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

                      

October

Fall Sale  

Saturday October 15     

Friends 9:00 a.m.

Public 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

                      

Sunday October 16         

1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

December

Holiday Gift Book and Bake Sale

Sunday, Dec 4  

Friends 1:00

Public    1:30 – 4:00 p.m.