It’s time for the Friends of Healdsburg Library Fall Book Sale and the books are here waiting for you. As is typical, the sale runs Wednesday through Friday, November 15–18 with Wednesday a Friends members-only day (join at the door for only $5) and the beloved $6 Bag Sale on Saturday. In addition, the Friends will offer two free bags of books to anyone who has lost their home, also on Saturday. Don’t forget the Special Books — new, high quality books in pristine condition that are looking for a new home — available Wednesday through Friday. Our Friends organization is one of the best around and we are so grateful for all they do to support the library year after year.
We’ve expanded our Food for Fines program this year. From November 13–December 30, come to the library with nonperishable food — any amount will do — and we will wipe out all of your overdue fines. Here in Healdsburg, we are proud to work with the Healdsburg Food Pantry as our local partner. Last year, the library system collected 5,974 pounds of food for Sonoma County and forgave $6,853 in fines and fees for 574 different people. Food For Fines has two primary goals: to remove barriers to library access due to overdue fines, and to help end hunger in our communities. This is even more important in 2017 with the recent disasters having an effect on so many of our friends and neighbors. Food For Fines participants can give to the community and get their library account back in good standing as we close out 2017.
We have a lot of fun programs at the library over the next month. For the rest of November, please come by and see our Gratitude Tree in the Children’s Room. Anyone can come in, write something you feel gratitude for, and attach it to our tree. Many have offered their gratitude already. We are grateful for you readers and the entire community.
Another series of events with children in mind is new this year: we have an evening bilingual storytime for children from 1–5 years old on Monday evenings, every other week. This is an opportunity to explore books, songs, rhymes and play in both English and Spanish. Upcoming storytimes will include Nov. 27 and Dec. 11, both at 6 p.m.
Feeling like you could use a little assistance with spreadsheets? We are offering a Microsoft Excel class for beginners on Monday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. The instructors will walk you through the basics of using Excel and answer your questions about your own needs for this useful software tool. Discover how this wonderful spreadsheet program can assist you with budgeting, organizing information and presenting dynamic charts and tables.
Saturday, Dec. 2 will offer a very popular session with the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County as they offer their holiday decorations workshop. Starting at 10:30 a.m. that day, Master Gardener Ellyn Pelikan will provide this free workshop for adults. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore ways to expand your holiday decoration repertoire.
As always, we are continually changing and looking for new ways to provide services in order to meet the changing community around us. If you have any questions or thoughts about the library, we are glad to hear them — contact Branch Manager Jon Haupt at 433-3772 or come by to chat.
Jon Haupt is the branch manager of the Healdsburg Regional Library.
