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July-September Libraries For the Future Update From the Basement
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From the Basement
The end is in sight!! With the book sale only 9 weeks away (have YOU marked
your calendars for September 22-24?), the Tuesday and Saturday crews have
switched into high gear, augmented by a most enthusiastic, amenable, and
comely group of youth volunteers from Ann Stafford's program which involves
young people in community activities. Although we do not have a Harry Potter or any of his friends down in our
own Chamber of Secrets, we still have exceptional efforts from volunteers,
young and old. Printed materials of all shapes, sizes, and sorts fly from
the culling boxes of the branches onto the processing table, find their
proper places on shelves, and are mysteriously packed into marked cartons
and stacked on pallets, ready for the GREAT MOVE to Crockett Center. One
only has to move among the bustling hustlers to know that this is serious
bibliomagic at its finest. Tuesday crew: Erika Stinebaugh, Jack and Jo Overton, Grace Turner, Phyllis
Todaro, Mary Morgan, Connie Moore, Nena Bentley, Sam Nicholson, Arnie
Henkle, Jackie Daniels, Ken and Marilyn LaRonde, Bob and Virginia Oram. Saturday crew: Bob Merrifield, Clarice Neal, Mary Nichol, Patricia Kaplan,
Ken and Marilyn LaRonde, Jo Overton, Mary Ogle, Hailey Dean, and Elaine
Allen. Our summer volunteers are Anna Hernandez, Vivian Tran, Patricia Kaplan,
Javier Rodriguez, Elaine and Erika Allen, Mattie Stafford, Hailey Dean, and
two gentlemen from India: Eric Tumboli and Kanti Palil. Once again, we are blessed these next three weeks with several willing and
capable students from the School for the Blind: David Counts, Michael
Hoelscher, Cody Prachyl, Steven Siders, and Peter Vasquez. Their mentors are
John Davis and John Whitthorn. This is definitely an experience for these
young men as well as our basement crew. We have had to call for more
self-inking stamps. As this goes to press, our cartons ready for the sale number 1217 so far,
plus 92 cartons of exceptional books. Folks, I tell you: this will probably
be the best sale in the history of the Friends. Of course, there are folks
out there (who faithfully read the newsletter) who can remember many sales
over the years. But for the Millenium, I doubt you'll find a more rewarding
offering anywhere within 200 miles. With gas prices the way they are, just
stay in Austin. Come to the Monster Book Sale, get a new Friends of the
Austin Public Library book bag in which to tote your treasures, renew
acquaintances with fellow bibliophiles, and have a fine time. Although I didn't want to end on a somber note, I must share this small
piece of news with all who frequent Central Library: Frank Cano, our most
pleasant, efficient, and resourceful security guard is retiring at the end
of July. At age 62, he feels a need to move closer to his daughters in San
Antonio and enjoy some retirement activities. Frank will be sorely missed by
those for whom he has been such a generous and helpful friend. We wish him
all the best, and Godspeed! Since I know Ken is going to want some space in this newsletter, I had
better climb out of the basement and join the crowd "at ground level." But
PLEASE do come and say hello at the book sale: I won't remember your name,
but I'll surely remember your face, especially if you've got a smile on. Lillian Voss
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