Fr i e n d s w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o b u i l d a s t r o n g e r l i b r a r y a n d c o m m u n i t y .

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FOSCLP.O. Box 1617

Bethany Beach, DE 19930-1617302-537-5828

www.foscl.com

OFFICERSPresident

Norbert Kraich

Vice PresidentLinda Maxwell

TreasurerRon Weber

Recording SecretaryDick Oliver

Systems ManagerCharlie Kopay

BOARD of DIRECTORSCarol BriglebKathy Green

Katherine A. JohnsonJudy Ramoy Johnstone, Ph.D.

Charlie KopayF. Norbert Kraich, Jr.

Theo LoppattoLinda C. Maxwell

Virginia NeeRichard Oliver

Tony ParisiLynn Phelps

Maureen RaybornPamela RichmanJohn RubinsohnEsther Samios

Ron Weber

LIBRARY DIRECTORSue Keefe

BOOKKEEPERPamela Miller

The Friends of the South Coastal Library Connection is produced by Board Members.

To submit an article or ask a questionsabout Friends activities please write us.

EDITORTheo Loppatto

LAYOUT & DESIGNCarrie Boyden

Vol. 25 | No. 1 | Winter 2018

Happy New Year 2018! We leave 2017 behind and move on. And, hopefully it will be another good year for The South

Coastal Library and for all of our loyal friends, volunteers, staff, and patrons.

The Friends of the South Coastal Library (FOSCL) would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Virginia Nee who is retiring after two terms (6 years) as a loyal and hard-working member of the FOSCL Board. In addition to helping out on many projects the board undertook during her terms of service, Virginia acted as our ‘liaison’ to the local media and kept us ‘in the news’ - thanks Virginia.

We also want to extend a warm welcome to our two new FOSCL Board members, Marcia Arnold and Rosemary Hardiman. Both join us with extensive backgrounds in volunteering, especially in library related activities. They have jumped right in and are already involved in numerous board activities. We are very pleased that they have joined the board.

For 2018 our officer positions will continue as before: Norbert Kraich, President; Linda Maxwell, Vice President; Ron Weber, Treasurer; and Richard (Dick) Oliver, Recording Secretary.

The past year was a very good year for South Coastal Library. Our Library Director, Sue Keefe reported that for 2017 library patron visits were up by 13% with program attendance up by 15% (in the Summer months these increases were up by 25% & 62% respectively!). The interesting aspect of this increase is that while actual material checkouts were down by slightly by 2%,

there was an increase of 9% in use of e-materials and a whopping 35% increase in the use of the library’s wifi access. Patrons are taking advantage of numerous library offerings such as computer/internet access, Ancestry.com access (usage up by 27%), lecture, learning and musical programs, and the Summer Reading Challenge (enrollment up by 15%). FOSCL is thrilled to be able to fund many of

these activities and programs and will continue to do so in the coming years.

Other FOSCL activities that will benefit the South Coastal Library for the coming year are beginning to shape up as the event committees undertake their activities. Our premier event – The 27th Annual Beach & Bay Cottage Tour – will be held over two days in July, Wednesday the 25th and Thursday the 26th. Our extremely popular FOSCL Book Sale, a must for all bibliophiles, will be held at the library over three days in August 9th, 10th, and 11th.

President’s Message | Norbert Kraich

A Look Back and A Look Ahead

CONTINUED

Farewell and Hello – Virginia Nee, Marcia Arnold, Norbert Kraich President FOSCL, and Rosemary Hardiman

Get ready for the 2018 Beach & Bay Cottage Tour on July 25 & 26! READ MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S COTTAGE TOUR ON PAGE 5 Online at: beachandbaycottagetour.com

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Director’s Report | Sue Keefe

Winter is here and it’s time for hot tea, cookies (for medicinal purposes), and a good book. If you’re running low, stop by the library and check a few out.

Books, I mean. We usually eat all the cookies before opening.

We’ve said good bye to many special staffers this year. Sandy Kaminsky and Missy Woomer have retired—sort of. Then we got them back to work as substitutes. In this library, saying good bye is never a permanent thing. But Barbara Litzau has retired too. If you have attended any adult events in the library, she was usually the planner behind it. If you have borrowed any items, she was one of the staffers who got them on the shelves as quickly as possible. And if you ever made any mistakes in your grammar, she was the one who ABSOLUTELY caught it. And told you. We will miss her but wish her all the best in her busy “retirement” years. (Yes, she already has plans. You can take the librarian out of the

library, but you can’t take the library out of the librarian.)

Don’t fret; Barbara has the winter events planned out for us, provided we follow her detailed instructions. And FOSCL is here to fund it for you, so there is never a fee for participants. Below is a sampling of things to do when the winter blahs catch you by surprise:

» John Brillantes returns starting Jan. 8th with beginner and intermediate dance classes.

» “Mindful Moments”— enjoy this interactive stress management class with Sarah Bercaw January 18 at 1 pm from the University of DE Cooperative Extension service.

» Chef Charles Oppman returns with regular cooking demonstrations starting January 22nd. You know to come hungry, right?

» Smart Health Insurance class, at 10am, plus “Ask the Expert” individual sessions dealing with finances, starting at 1pm will run on January 30th, presented by Accredited Financial Counselor Maria Pippidas from the University of DE Cooperative Extension service. Sessions are on a first-come, first served basis.

»» Ballet»for»Posture»&»Flexibility runs on February 5th at 10am.

»» Childhood»Memories»of»Wartime»London presented by Jean Norvell and the DE Humanities Forum will take place on February 5th at 1pm—just plan a full day with us!

» Enjoy interesting books and authors (we think that’s why you come here) at the Happy Booker’s book discussion group, starting February 14th with A»Gentleman»In»Moscow.

Some programs require pre-registration, as space is limited. You can pick up brochures at the library or go to southcoastal@lib.de.us. Upcoming events are posted on the home page, or click on Full Calendar for more listings. You can call the library at 302-539-5231 and also email questions to southcoastal@lib.de.us. We look forward to seeing you come out of the cold this winter!

“In the winter she curls around a good book and dreams away the cold.” BEN AARONOVITCH, BROKEN HOMES

President’s Message | Continued from Page 1

Barbara Litzau, Assistant Director and her husband, Tom.

Our all-volunteer Friends group is thrilled to continue to support the South Coastal Library as it has been doing since forming in 1988. We provide on-going financial help beyond the funding provided by Sussex County to enhance library services and programs to make certain that the South Coastal Library is the best community resource possible for our patrons. Thanks to all our contributors, volunteers, sponsors, and library staff who make this so.

But we must remain vigilante. Potential state-wide financial problems may rear their heads in the not so distant future. Delaware may be facing a major budget deficit in 2018, resulting in budget cuts, possibly affecting library funding and causing reduced services for all libraries. Our South Coastal Friends organization is involved with other library Friends groups, state and Sussex County library staffers, and library activist organizations working to monitor the state budget activities and making certain that continued funding to libraries is a wise decision. Libraries provide so much help and services to citizens that it is almost incalculable.

We as library supporters must make certain that adequate library funding continues. We may be calling on you, our Friends members, to make your voices heard in this effort to convince state legislators not to reduce the valuable resources libraries provide to their constituents. Thanks to all our loyal library supporters for all you do to keep South Coastal Library the jewel and the outstanding community resource that it is.

All The Best,Norbert

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Delaware Library Town MeetingOn Thursday December 7, 2017 library staff, Trustees, and Friends from all over the state gathered at the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center for a program, – ”The Future of Public Libraries; From Access to Outcomes” and a tour of New Castle County’s newest library. Gary Golden, Futurist, gave the keynote - what should we expect of libraries in the future? Library staff at this facility treated attendees to a tour of the Rt. 9 Library including visits to the following: the Bookatarium, children’s story area in the round; the Lego Room, intended for creativity and building through use of

lego; the Snoezelen Sensory Room, to stimulate reading or being read to for people with special needs; the Maker Lab Stem Room, to use specialized equipment including 3D Printers to conduct experiments and work with electronics for special projects; and the Vex IQ, Robotics area.

Following the tour, The Friends of Delaware Libraries President Kay Bowes presented Delaware Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger with a special award for his support of Delaware Libraries over the years - truly a ‘Library Champion’ who has consistently supported Delaware Libraries in their move into the future. The future is now for libraries.

Libraries of the Future

Kay Bowes & Rick Geisenberger

Statewide Library News

Rosemary Cooper, Albert Wisner Library Director; Donna Applegate, Library Board President; and Susan Supac, Friends of Albert Wisner Library

Sussex County - Staff Development DayOn September 21st Sussex County Library Staff, Trustees, and Friends gathered at Del Tech in Georgetown for the Annual Sussex County Libraries’ Staff Development Day. The focus of the day was the Albert Wisner Public Library Warwick, NY designated Best Small Library in America 2016 by Library Journal. The day’s program centered around a panel discussion including Rosemary Cooper, Director; Donna Applegate, Library Board President; and Susan Supac, Friends of Albert Wisner

Public Library. The three spoke of how they combined their individual roles to create partnerships throughout the community and through their successful advocacy accomplished the referendum and campaigned successfully for the bond issue

and ultimately the award of their library as a model of the 21st century. The session stressed the importance of combining partnerships, advocacy, and fundraising in accomplishing goals and creating model 21st century libraries in our communities.

Latest Initiative from the Delaware Division of LibrariesThe Delaware Division of Libraries recently announced a pilot program to further serve the needs of all Delawareans. The program will connect library patrons throughout the state to State Social Services. Two social workers from the Division of Social Services’ Community are now available once a week for three hours at seven libraries across the state. Three libraries in Sussex County will have social workers available to assist patrons through the online benefits application process; assist in gathering necessary documents; connect eligible families and individuals with training and employment resources; and assist in connecting with other Health and Human Services agencies for other questions and needs. Those libraries in Sussex which will have social workers available are Seaford Public Library, Selbyville Public Library, and Frankford Public Library. Patrons can call and confirm times with these libraries.

This is just one more example of the Delaware Public Libraries meeting the needs of the public they serve through partnerships which currently number 150 agencies and non-profits across the state.

Gary Golden, Futurist Lego Lab Robotics Maker Lab Stem Room

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Staffer’s Pick: I Never Knew... | Collen Cardy

I Never Knew That By Working At The Library I Would: » Meet all kinds of new friends…

» Know everything that is going on in Bethany Beach…

» Be able to buy my Beach and Bay Cottage Tour tickets the first day that they go on sale…

» Get daily updates on the happenings at the Boardwalk…

» Find out all the good places to go eat (in the off season)…

» Learn what books are highest in demand…

» I would find out how little I really know…

» See children that are so excited about the library…

» Work with wonderful people…

» See just how lucky we are to have our wonderful library in our great little town…

Todd Lawson, Sussex County Administrator

On Friday December 8th South Coastal Library staff, Friends of South Coastal board members, special guests, and volunteers gathered for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at Big Fish in Ocean View. Volunteer Coordinator Kristin Cooper planned a beautiful, delicious, and festive event for all. In addition to staff, Friends of South Coastal Library, and volunteers, Todd Lawson, Sussex County Administrator; Kathy Graybeal, Sussex County Librarian; and Lou Kilmer, Vice-Mayor of Bethany Beach attended the event. Both Todd Lawson and Lou Kilmer spoke to attendees and praised the South Coastal Library for its significant contributions to the community. In addition to the deli-cious buffet and dessert array, the highlight of the event was a special recognition of those volunteers who had donated their talents to South Coastal Library for 10 years or more.

FOSCL Sponsored Annual Volunteer Brunch at Big FishEsteemed Guests and Volunteer Recognition

Lou Kilmer, Vice Mayor of Bethany Beach Volunteer Recognition for 10 years + of Volunteer Service Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at Go Fish

Thank you to all of our wonderful Volunteers!

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The Cottage Tour Committee has been organizing and working since fall to make certain that the 2018 tour will be as exciting as previous years’ tours. Over 600 volunteers participate annually to help this tour go smoothly, so contact us at info@beachandbaycottagetour.com if you would like to be involved. We are always welcoming new faces and ideas.

Tickets for the July 2018 tour will be $30. Your ticket is good for both days although non-transferable. Infants and children under 12 are not allowed, and there are usually steps in the houses.

It’s always a good idea to reserve your tickets early as ticket sales are limited, and the tour usually sells out. Your donations, as well, are important in assuring the financial success of the Cottage Tour, FOSCL’s major fundraiser each year. The increasingly popular Homeowner’s Cocktail Reception to honor those who open their homes for

the tour will be held Thursday, July 19 from 5 PM to 7 PM. Donors of $150 (not including tickets) or more to the Beach and Bay Cottage Tour will receive an invitation in June to this party.

Here’s some pertinent information regarding tickets and donations:

» Ticket sales will begin March 1, 2018 online (credit only) and at the South Coastal Library (cash, check, and credit).

» Even if you cannot attend the tour, please consider making a donation. You can make donations now and throughout the year and find tour updates at the Cottage Tour website: www.beachandbaycottagetour.com

» Look for your Cottage Tour brochure in the mail near Memorial Day in May. That mailing will also include an order and information form and

a remittance envelope which you can mail, along with the latest tour information, including tote sponsors, Adopt-a-House organizations, and art and restaurant raffles.

We appreciate your continuing support of the Cottage Tour, and we look forward to seeing you on the tour in July. Remember to check www.beachandbaycottagetour.com for the latest information on the 27th Annual Beach & Bay Cottage Tour and our Facebook page, Annual Beach and Bay Cottage Tour. Better yet, get involved with the tour and meet newfriends and be part ofthis worthwhileevent benefittingour local library.

The last Wednesday and Thursday of July are always special days in the Bethany area because those are the designated days annually for the Friends of South Coastal Library’s Beach & Bay Cottage Tour that benefits the South Coastal Library. This year, the anticipated event will be held Wednesday, July 25 and Thursday, July 26 from 9:30 AM to 4 PM, so mark your calendars today. As always, exceptional area homes chosen for their design, size, decorating styles, and green features are spotlighted on the two-day tour in the greater Bethany Beach area.

The 27th Beach & Bay Cottage Tour