CFOL | Blog

NEW MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE

Your CFOL, along with the Oroville Friends of the Library, donated funds to supplement a grant providing an innovative new way to bring library books and services to schools, communities and events in Chico and Oroville. Patrons can not only select from the hundreds of books carried by the mobile library, but also can access needed library services including issuance of new library cards, renewals of books and cards, downloading ebooks, and making book requests. Come and admire this locally designed and built Library on a Bike on display in the Chico branch library. And kudos to Greg Degouveia for designing and building the bike, and Oliver Allen, library outreach coordinator, for co-writing the grant and supplying the pedal power.

QUILT DRAWING!

Annie’s Star Quilt Guild has once again generously donated a handcrafted quilt which you might win at the Chico branch library.  Sized for a twin bed (72″x 84″), the quilt also incorporates its own hanging sleeve.   You can view this fine example of fabric art on display at the Chico branch library now.  Donation amounts for tickets:  $1 each, 6 for $5, or 13 for $10.  The drawing will be held in the library on December 12, after the book sale.  Proceeds will provide new children’s books for the library.   

PUZZLES NOW HALF PRICE!

Do you know someone who likes to be challenged by multi-piece jigsaw puzzles?  Does that person like it even more when the finished puzzle depicts the wonders of your Chico library and the joys of reading?  And what about the added benefit of supporting your Chico Friends Of the Library?  Purchase of one of the colorful 500 piece jigsaw puzzles created from a limited edition poster by local artist Steve Ferchaud entitled “Love Your Library.”  It just might be the perfect birthday, holiday, or “just because” gift for the jigsaw puzzle solver in your life. And it can provide hours of cool indoor entertainment during the hot summer days ahead. Visit your Chico branch library to acquire one of these unique items.  They are now available for a mere $5 donation each or 2 puzzles for $8!

ONGOING BOOK SALES

CFOL members and others will find many, many new books, movies, music CDs, and magazines added to the materials offered at the next book sale. The members-only First Friday book sales are held each first Friday of the month from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Chico library’s conference room.  This month’s sale is on Friday, November 6 . Don’t miss this opportunity to browse the many bargain items in a more leisurely atmosphere than prevails at the regular Saturday morning (9:00 to 11:30 am) sales.  Daily sales and discount specials on the designated shelves inside the library and on the cart in the lobby have proven to be extremely popular and an additional source of income for your CFOL.  Thanks to all the CFOL book sale volunteers who have made these efforts highly successful.

FUNDRAISING SUCCESS DURING ANNIE B’S DRIVE

Library supporters donated $14,722 through the North Valley Community Fund during August and September, with the Fund adding another $1,023. The City of Chico contributed an additional $7,687 for a grand total of $23, 432 to be used to remodel that public computer area in the Chico branch library. Any excess funds will aid other remodeling projects in the library.

History with Chico Friends

Diane Friedman, the president of the Chico Friends of the Library, has been involved with the organization for nearly 10 years. She came to Chico from San Jose in 2001 after retiring from her career as a software engineer at IBM.

Diane needed an outlet for all of her energy during retirement, which is how she got involved at the local library volunteering after a friend recommended it to her.

“So I volunteered and worked as part-time help [for the library],” said Diane, “and from there, the Chico Friends. I started by helping with their website and it kind of built from there.”

Why Libraries?

“I think people have a misconception that libraries are just for books,” said Diane.

The work the CFOL does in supporting the Chico library goes beyond just books, working with the library to expand its programs as well.

The struggle for funding has been an ongoing issue for the library. CFOL’s biggest goal is supporting programs at the library.

Most of the funding for CFOL is generated through its weekly book sales that are put on by a group of incredible volunteers, as well as private donations made by members of the Chico community.

Working with the Chico Friends

Diane views her time with CFOL as an opportunity to make a difference in the community.

“All the time at board meetings the library will have something they want to do for the community,” said Diane. “It’s such a pleasure to say ‘we can do that’ when they ask.”

And CFOL has been able to say yes a lot to the library’s requests.

Recently, the Chico Branch Library proposed a $70,000 remodel of the library, which CFOL was able to approve and help fund through the revenue generated by their weekly book sales.

“It’s nice to walk through the library and go ‘we did that, we did that,’” said Diane.

NEW MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE

Your CFOL, along with the Oroville Friends of the Library, have donated funds to supplement a grant providing an innovative new way to bring library books and services to schools, communities and events in Chico and Oroville. Patrons can not only select from the hundreds of books carried by the mobile library, but also can access needed library services including issuance of new library cards, renewals of books and cards, downloading ebooks, and making book requests. Come and admire this locally designed and built Library on a Bike on display in the Chico branch library. And kudos to  Greg Degouveia for designing and building the bike, and to Oliver Allen, library outreach coordinator, for co-writing the grant and supplying the pedal power.

QUILT DRAWING!

Annie’s Star Quilt Guild has once again generously donated a handcrafted quilt to be raffled off at the Chico branch library.  Sized for a twin bed (72″x 84″),the quilt also incorporates its own hanging sleeve.   You can view this fine example of  fabric art on display at the Chico branch library now.  Donations from the drawing will provide new children’s books for the library.   Tickets are on sale at the library, and the drawing will be held on December 12.  Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, or 13 for $10.

ONGOING BOOK SALES

CFOL members and others will find many, many new books, movies, music CDs, and magazines added to the materials offered at the next book sale. The members-only First Friday book sales are held each first Friday of the month from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Chico library’s conference room.  This month’s sale is on Friday, October 2. Don’t miss this opportunity to browse the many bargain items in a more leisurely atmosphere than prevails at the regular Saturday morning (9:00 to 11:30 am) sales.  Daily sales and discount specials on the designated shelves inside the library and on the cart in the lobby have proven to be extremely popular and an additional source of income for your CFOL.  Thanks to all the CFOL book sale volunteers who have made these efforts highly successful.

LOOKING AHEAD

Team members have been selected and are rigorously studying current events and other sources to prepare for the annual Trivia Bee to be held on November 6 at the Sierra Nevada Big Room. Audience tickets and more information are available at the Chico branch library. Don’t be one to miss all the fun!

PUZZLES

Do you know someone who likes to be challenged by multi-piece jigsaw puzzles?  Does that person like it even more when the finished puzzle depicts the wonders of your Chico library and the joys of reading?  And what about the added benefit of supporting your Chico Friends Of the Library?  Purchase of one of the colorful 500 piece jigsaw puzzles created from a limited edition poster by local artist Steve Ferchaud entitled “Love Your Library.”  It just might be the perfect birthday, holiday, or “just because” gift for the jigsaw puzzle solver in your life. And it can provide hours of cool indoor entertainment during the hot summer days ahead. Visit your Chico branch library to acquire one of these unique items.  They are available for a mere $10 donation each!

The Butte County BookBike made a successful appearance at the A Bridge for Books event Sunday, September 27. The event took place at the Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte County where the Chico community enjoyed live music, literature and dancing. As the live music played and the hula-hoop girls danced away, there was a silent auction with a variety of items up for sale. In addition, attendees had the opportunity to sign up for a Butte County library card and to check out a book from the infamous BookBike.

The Chico and Oroville Friends of the Library donated $500 each toward the creation of the bike and the library was able to receive an additional mini-grant for the BookBike as well. The BookBike has become an innovative way to encourage new members to enjoy the benefits of a library. The bike makes appearances around different Butte County events, giving the community a new and fun way to check out some of their favorite novels.

The event was held at the Honey Run Covered Bridge. Did you know that this is one of the only three tiered covered bridges in the United States? It was built in 1886 and was eventually covered in 1894.

Outreach coordinator, Oliver Allen, stands proudly next to the Butte County BookBike, which the Chico Friends of the Library donated $500 towards.

There was a silent auction set up at the event consisting of numerous authentic items.

The Honey Run Bridge crosses over the Butte Creek where the community can enjoy the fresh running water.

The band, Smokey Groove serenades the event goers with jazz fusion music while they peruse the silent auction and check out books from the BookBike.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Chico branch of the Butte County Library and made this a successful and fun event!