Please take a look at the highlights from this year and consider joining or renewing your membership today to continue our programs in 2020.
Thanks to our members, volunteers, and donors we’ve helped our library and community in many ways in 2019.
We started the year with a successful retreat in January that focused on strategies for volunteer recruitment, retention, and empowerment. We also discussed the need to better document our activities and roles in order to be better poised to transition leadership. Ideas generated at the retreat and implemented during the year included:
- Creating “Welcome packets” for new families in town distributed by local realtors
- Developing “Grab and Go” boxes to bring to outreach events
- Holding several successful volunteer outreach events
- Creating a volunteer application form on wfol.org
- Documenting roles for each board position
Review of 2018 Library Support
In January, we reviewed our final accounting report for 2018.
- During 2018, we raised $58K and expended $70K, with the single largest donation going to Yolo County Library ($40K) for improving the children and teen areas of our library.
- The MOU for the Learning Garden was approved by all parties in January.
- WFoL contributed $5,000 for the installation of the garden.
- Thanks to Stephanie Meyers and Anne Scott from the Yolo Master Gardeners and other community volunteers, starting in February the garden area was improved and subsequently planted. The City of Winters donated tables and chairs and WFoL donated $1K for the umbrellas.
- The Learning Garden had its official opening event in October.
- WFoL will dedicate $500 annually for maintenance.
2019 Highlights by Month
- In March the Winters Theatre Company had a benefit performance of Inherit the Wind for WFoL for which we received over $1K.
- Our annual Bare Root Tree sale held the first Saturday of March and coordinated by Margaret Bailey, netted approximately $4K.
- In April WFoL approved our operating budget for 2019. Projected expenditures for 2019 are $54K, which includes funding the annual request from the Yolo County Library for $35K for program support, collection enhancement, and technology.
- The 2019 library budget included $4K for a 3D printer with supplies and $10K for an ESL class series for caregivers.
- We had another award winning entry in the Youth Day parade at the end of April – this year’s theme was super heroes and our entry was “Every Hero Has a Story” featuring favorite book heroes. Our book cover shields can be found on top of the book shelves in the children’s room.
- April was also a busy month preparing for and culminating with the Big Day of Giving that was held on May 2 nd . Thanks to Team Leader Crystal Apilado and other WFoL volunteers including Lani Fulcher on the communications team we successfully raised our goal of $30K.
- July is always a busy month with weekly concerts at the gazebo in Rotary Park thanks to Diane, Keith and Nora Cary. The first concert was on July 4 th in lieu of the normally scheduled fireworks display which was cancelled this year due to fire danger. While not officially a fundraiser, we netted $2K.
- Unfortunately the Winters Shakespeare Workshop (WSW), spearheaded by Mary Lou Linvill, decided to cancel their season due to insufficient enrollment.
- During the summer months, the Margaret Parsons Community Room had a facelift including new flooring and paint thanks to a $25K contribution from the WJUSD, City of Winters, and County Library. WFoL dedicated the $30K raised during the Big Day of Giving to replacing the AV equipment. School Librarian Olivia Rodriguez requested and received a $1,500 grant from the Winters Education Fund towards the AV equipment replacement. Thanks to all!
Author Series in 2019
- Lynn Fulton, author of She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein in May for a talk at the library as well as at the school. WFoL donated $300 towards purchasing 20 books that the students could win.
- Jon Cooke, author of The Book of Weirdo, spoke at a standing room only crowd in June. Local comic artist, Robert Armstrong was on hand that evening to reminisce about era of Weirdo Magazine during the 1980’s in Winters and surrounding areas.
- In October we participated in the national Indie Author Day, by hosting Community Writes where participants could learn the ins and outs of wiring humor, memoir, and mysteries from local authors including Kris Calvin, Marilyn Reynolds, Eileen Rendahl, and Tamsen Shultz, Spring Warren.
- At the Annual Meeting we hosted Jeff Kubiak, author of One Drop of Kindness.
Membership
In 2019, WFoL had 159 members adding $1K to our operating budget (not including the funds raised in Nov-Dec 2018 when the 2019 membership drive began). The 2020 membership drive begins in November. In addition to our previous business sponsors, we have some new businesses willing to offer perks to WFoL members. To qualify for a card to receive these
business perks, members must join at a level of $50 or above.
Ongoing Projects and Progress
- Our website got a much needed facelift thanks to Lisa Nalbone with support from Jenny Felsen.
- Books for Babies distributed 94 boxes to newborns and infants in the Winters area thanks to the coordination of Carol Scianna.
- The book sale room keeps Revalee Hemken and Richard Cowen busy. But thanks to their efforts, we have raised approximately $1.5K through book sales so far this year. Prices were raised in August. Prices are still very affordable and in line with other Friends groups.
- We had outreach booths with free book giveaways or book sales at several events in Winters – Youth Day (April), Festival de la Communidad (September), and Salmon Festival (November). We also had a booth at the WPNS Children’s Festival in October.
Coming up
- Arm Chair Travel Series – On Thursday, November 21st at 6 pm, Federica Beatrice, who spent a month this summer backpacking the John Muir Trail, will show slides of the hike, including maps and shots of mountains, valleys, lakes, and camp life. She will also show examples of backpacking meals and her fully loaded backpack.
- In lieu of our regularly scheduled monthly board meeting held at the Library Community Room, we will be hosting a brief meeting and book exchange at a board member’s home on December 2nd at 7 pm. Please RSVP to reply@wfol.org for location.
- Annual Family Holiday Festival with music, crafts, book sale, and Mrs. Claus’ Café on December 7 th from 10 am – 2 pm.
- 2020 WFoL Membership Drive Continues
