The Friends of the Modesto Library, along with the Stanislaus County Library and author Sarah Jamila Stevenson, present the official launch of Stevenson’s young adult novel, The Latte Rebellion, on Saturday Feb. 5, 2011, at 1:00 pm.

Stevenson is an artist, freelance journalist, graphic designer, and writer. She is active in the online young adult literature community as co-founder of two blogs. The Latte Rebellion is her debut novel for teens. She lives in Modesto, Calif. with her husband and pets.

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates), well-known publication for teen-serving librarians, says of The Latte Rebellion, “This coming-of-age story is craftily written, fast paced and delivers a message of doing the right thing under difficult circumstances. The Latte Rebellion is a wonderful, conceptual story from a new author with strong promise of becoming established in the YA genre.” We’re so happy to welcome Stevenson to the library to share her debut novel with us!

Next, on Saturday Feb. 12, 2011, join the Friends, the Library, and Poets of the San Joaquin in celebrating the release of the Song of the San Joaquin Winter Issue, Vol. VIII, #1. Poets will read their own work at this event.  The reading is free and appropriate for all ages. Light refreshments are provided. An “open mike” will follow the formal presentation. For more information, contact Cleo Griffith, 543-1776.

Books will be available for purchase at both events. We hope you can join us on these special literary dates.

I’m sure others would agree: the reason we’re successfully in leading our Friends groups is due to those who are willing to do the heavy lifting: those who volunteer to take on projects and work at events, who go the extra mile to find funding opportunities for our groups and the library, who are willing to make newsletters, email members,  work hours in the Little Shop, and sign up their friends as members of the FOML. So thanks to everyone with whom I get to work: you make my job much easier, and a great deal more satisfying.

Along with many dedicated library volunteers and supporters, we’ll be honored and fed at a luncheon on April 17 at the Salida Regional Library.

And that’s enough self-congratulatory stuff for one day.

Other things the Friends of the Library agreed to fund for 2009-2010: money for a big order of new and replacement DVDs, a new display rack for audio books, and walkie-talkies for Reference librarians. The funds for these purchases comes from your membership dues and proceeds from the twice-annual Scholastic book sales held in the downstairs auditorium. Thank you for your support!

New seats in the Children's Library at Modesto

Little Shop sneak peek flyer

Go to Art Walk at the Modesto Library and see the work of featured artist Suzanne Staud. While you’re there, check out the interior of the Little Shop–and help us celebrate the evening by being one of our first customers!

The first reading to kick off the series, on June 16, features award-winning poet Lynne Knight, whose most recent title, Again, was published by Sixteen Rivers Press earlier this year. Knight’s work appeared in Best American Poetry 2000, and her awards include a Theodore Roethke Award from Poetry Northwest and an NEA grant. She lives in Berkeley.

The June 16 reading will be followed by a celebratory open mic–bring your own poem plus a poem by someone else who has inspired you along the way.

The Third Tuesday Poetry Series starts at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact Gillian Wegener.

tillie lewis water tower in Modesto

National Library Week – First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. Thank you Stanislaus County Library for doing such a great job in our communities! Hear the cool PSA.

Upcoming Event: Poetry workshop with Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge, sponsored by Friends of the Modesto Library, Center for the Book, and Poets & Writers Inc.; refreshments provided by Golden 1 Credit Union.

Free and open to the public! Saturday April 18, 2009 at 1 pm in the Modesto Library auditorium. See you there!

Exciting News: Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors has approved Friends-run gift stores inside the library buildings! If you’re interested in helping get this great new project off the ground, contact us: info@modestolibraryfriends.org.

Shining Star Awards: Congratulations to Anne Britton, winner of the Shining Star Award in the “Friends” category, for all her hard work in setting up and organizing Scholastic Book Sales to benefit the Friends of the Modesto Library (and ultimately, the Modesto Library). She also volunteers in the Children’s Dept. at Modesto every Tuesday, and you can find her volunteering at the Empire Branch too! Thanks, Anne,  for all you do to promote literacy in our region.

Volunteers are invited to recognize Anne and the other Shining Star Award recipient, volunteer Anita Hay of the Waterford Library, at a special volunteer luncheon at the Salida Library on April 18 at noon.  Awards presented by the Stanislaus County Library Foundation.

Activated Storytellers

Be sure to catch the Activated Storytellers at the Modesto Library on April 11 at noon, sponsored by the Friends of the Modesto Library through its Peti Taylor Memorial Program fund.

If you’ve never seen the Activated Storytellers, you simply must. The Goza family carries on a unique tradition of the family troupe, living on the road, going from town to town…and interpreting folk legends and fairy tales for their young audiences in a fun, modern way.

At the Modesto Library downstairs auditorium. Tickets available in children’s dept. on day of show from 11 am on. Call 209-558-7801 for information.

Help us welcome our guest Joan Bowen Cardoza, longtime Modesto resident and author of the popular Friends and Memories collections featuring recipes from local folks you may know of. The best parts of the collections are the stories that accompany each recipe!

Cardoza will talk to the Friends about how she compiled the recipes, published the books, and her work with the Cardoza Foundation. More Friends and More Memories, the latest collection, will be offered for sale at the event. Proceeds from sales will benefit the Cardoza Foundation, which supports nonprofits in the Modesto area.

A business meeting to elect news board members for 2009-2010 will follow the talk (see slate of candidates). This event is FREE and open to the public. Membership forms will be available at the event for those who wish to join FOML.