Brown Bag Green Book
The discussion was lively Wed. 8/25/10 at East TN History Center. Don Barger of the National Parks Conservation Association reviewed the book "Rewilding" by Caroline Fraser. “Rewilding,” as Fraser describes it, aims to save species by restoring habitats, reviving migration corridors, and brokering peace between people and predators. These ideas are directly relevant to Barger’s position with the NPCA; he has been actively working to protect natural areas in the southeast, in particular the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Librarian Emily Ellis with Don Barger of the NPCA
Next month in the series (9/29/10) Madeline Rogero leads a discussion of "Green Metropolis: Why Living Smaller, Living Closer, and Driving Less are the Keys to Sustainability" by David Owen.
American Library Association Conference
Friends member and active volunteer Marilyn Parsons had the privilege of attending this year's American Library Association Conference in D.C. (June 24-27.) Said Marilyn, a school librarian for 36 years, "Books are my passion. There's no better way for an individual to get excited about libraries & reading than to attend the ALA conference."
Marilyn with Ken Burns, author of "The National Parks" and "The Civil War," and an upcoming book on baseball
Maggie Carini recognized as an Outstanding FRIEND
Each year at its annual meeting, Friends of Tennessee Libraries (FOTL) presents awards to those who have made outstanding contributions to their local Friends groups. Knoxville's Maggie Carini was honored May 10, 2010 for her manifold contributions to Friends of the Knox County Public Library. She has served as President, she has managed our Used Book Sale since 2007, and she established Friends@Rothrock, our daily book shop in the main library.
Maggie also has found creative ways to expand the Library’s presence in Knoxville, partnering with community groups to promote literacy and the love of reading such as
• Establishing ShoeBox Libraries at the jail, Volunteer Ministries, high-rise elderly apartments, nursing homes, and the Juvenile Detention Center
• Partnering with two inner city elementary schools and sponsors to channel books from the Friends' collection into the schools' libraries
• Selling gardening books at the plant sale of UT Gardens and children’s books at the Children’s Festival of Reading, and
• distributing books to adults participating in the Knoxville News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund.
Simply put, Maggie is a super Friend.
FOL Board Memorializes Robert Loest
The Friends of the Knox County Library, as well as the community of Knoxville, lost a very special friend February 17, 2010- Robert Loest. Jack Neely’s Metro Pulse article remembers Robert Loest as a former naval officer of the Vietnam era, a Ph.D. in marine biology, an accomplished blacksmith, a finance geek’s celebrity, and a commentator on national cable channels, profiled in international economic journals. To the Friends he was an instrumental member of a small committee who developed a program to upgrade local school libraries (see page 5, Winter 2010 issue of our newsletter.) Pilot school Maynard Elementary received a pledge of $500 from All Souls Church to purchase children’s hardback books from the Friends’ storehouse.
Robert Loest with students at Maynard Elementary
On March 15, 2010 the FOL Board voted to name this program The Robert Loest Memorial School Library Project. We hope that doing so will inspire all of us to raise our commitment to reading, learning, and the children of our community- our future.
Knox County VOTERS- Check it Out!
The Friends asked the 6 mayoral and 20 County Commission candidates tough questions about the future of the Knox County Public Library System. Here we pass on to you their views about our Library and its needs.
Be More Awards
The Friends of Knox County Public Library received one of three Be More awards in the Arts category, presented by East Tennessee Public Television to nonprofit groups on Thursday, February 25, in recognition of the organization's work "to inspire our community and everyday people to Be More." Wes Cowan from the PBS program History Detectives presented the award, designed to celebrate excellence in the nonprofit community.
Suzanne Freeman with presenter Wes Cowan of the History Detectives