Friends of the Oakland Public Library
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"Public libraries receive less than 1% of all tax dollars and are used by more than 50
percent of the population." |
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Friends of the Oakland Public Library
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As the Bookmark Bookstore celebrates 10 years in its current location at 721 Washington Street, FOPL is pleased to announce its annual grants to the Oakland Public Library. The Bookmark is the primary source of funds that make these annual grants possible. FOPL members and other supporters, through dues and donations, are also key contributors.
Each year, the Library Director gives the board a "wish list" of specific needs. Since the passage of Measure Q, -- the 2004 library parcel tax measure that extended library hours and doubled city funding for collection development -- the Library's requests to FOPL focus less on books than in the recent past. Instead, current needs are support for programs, outreach and education efforts, and special furniture and equipment. For example, the furniture for the extremely popular "Hot Picks" area at Main was paid for by a 2004 FOPL grant. This attractive display area near the front entrance features popular current fiction and non-fiction books and DVDs that may be checked out for 7 days only. The list of 2005 grants follows. The FOPL board is excited about supporting these valuable programs and services brought to you by the Library. To our members: Thank you for being true friends of the Oakland Public Library!
PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH-- $31,920
Purchase of children's books to give to all participants -- 9,000 children, up to age 9 -- who complete the Summer Reading Game. *Additional funding generously provided by the Herman Auerbach Memorial Fund Trust II.
Modest stipends and hospitality expenses for members of the Youth Leadership Council. The YLC supports and promotes the Library at public functions. A component of programming geared specifically to teens, the YLC offers valuable skill and relationship building opportunities for young people.
Funds to defray expenses for this free community event. The Library has announced that Isabel Allende will be the featured speaker in April 2006.
"Seed money" to continue the lecture series which began in February, 2005 with the appearance by Paul Rusesabagina, the real life hero of the movie, Hotel Rwanda.
Funds to underwrite "Bookies by the Bay," a collaborative fundraising event with four other Alameda County library literacy programs, to be held in Oakland in September 2005.
Volunteers help out in libraries throughout Oakland. This fund will be set up to allow staff to host parties or provide modest gifts to recognize and reward community volunteers who give so much to the Library.
Main Library and Branches - $14,580
This attractive and ergonomically designed information desk will better serve a great variety of patrons - including those who are wheelchair-bound, children, shorter people and elderly people with walkers.
New shelving with increase current space by more than 60 percent to provide better access to the wonderful new books in the collection. The design will complement the Hot Picks area directly opposite.
· Multimedia equipment to enhance and improve computer instruction and other programs offered to patrons. · Furnishings to make the children's area more welcoming and comfortable for young readers.
· Board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Mankala for teens to use in the Library. · Stipend to hire a Spanish and English chess program instructor. The Chavez Chess Workshop is the only free library bilingual chess program in East Oakland. · Purchase 200 canvas bags for patrons to check out along with their books. This will be a pilot program for Oakland. The winning entry of an art design contest among young patrons will be employed to decorate these attractive and sturdy bags. African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO) - $2,500 Funds to bring Dr. Frank Smith, Founder and Director of the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, to AAMLO to give a lecture as part of the educational programming for the exhibition "Liberty on the Border: A Civil War Exhibit." Library School Scholarships - $5,000 $500 scholarships for Library staff pursuing their Master of Library Science degree. Library Director's Discretionary Fund - $2,000
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