URGENT: Book Shoppe Manager Wanted

Amy Stephens, who has devoted countless hours to the Book Shoppe, has given her six-month notice of resignation. Amy has been the cornerstone of our successful Shoppe. She is in the library basement at least twice a week sorting and pricing donated books. Then she participates in moving cartloads of these books upstairs and displays them on the shelves and tables in the auditorium-Book Shoppe.

We are so lucky to have her well-trained eye; she knows a first edition from a 15th edition and a classic from a remainder. However, Amy would like to add some new adventure into her life and would like to train someone else or even better, several other volunteers for this job. If you enjoy books, this is a rewarding job. And the Book Shoppe is essential to the Friends organization, as it brings in between $1200 and $1500 each month.

Please consider volunteering for this task. Amy will provide on-the- job training and the library staff will aid as necessary. Please call the library if you have questions.

Pre-Summer Reading

Now that income taxes are out of the way, perhaps you have a little more time for reading. Following are a trio of nonfiction titles that have been on the bestseller lists in recent weeks that might be worth a look. Queen Noor's Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life is the fascinating story of the former Lisa Halaby, American-born woman who married Jordan's King Hussein in 1978. She served as Queen of Jordan until Hussein's death in 1999.

If you have seen her on the talk shows, you will know that she is an articulate, intelligent woman who understands both the Arab and American cultures. Her story has been compared to The King and I. Don't expect a lot of gossipy, lurid stories, but you will get a close look at her adjustment to instant royalty, and learn a great deal about King Hussein's efforts to find peace in the Middle East, not to mention a view of her own opinions on the search for peace. This book is highly recommended.

Pre-Summer Reading

Now that income taxes are out of the way, perhaps you have a little more time for reading. Following are a trio of nonfiction titles that have been on the bestseller lists in recent weeks that might be worth a look. Queen Noor's Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life is the fascinating story of the former Lisa Halaby, American-born woman who married Jordan's King Hussein in 1978. She served as Queen of Jordan until Hussein's death in 1999.

If you have seen her on the talk shows, you will know that she is an articulate, intelligent woman who understands both the Arab and American cultures. Her story has been compared to The King and I. Don't expect a lot of gossipy, lurid stories, but you will get a close look at her adjustment to instant royalty, and learn a great deal about King Hussein's efforts to find peace in the Middle East, not to mention a view of her own opinions on the search for peace. This book is highly recommended.

Capital Campaign

The Capital Campaign to raise funds for the new library continues into the organizational phase. We are thrilled to report that Nick and Amanda Stonnington and Richard and Ivy Sun have an agreed to serve as the Co-chairs for the Capital Campaign. Guiding the Suns and Stonningtons is Bob Bason our fund raising consultant. Katharine Seibert is our Campaign Coordinator. Many of your friends and neighbors will be joining the campaign organization as we build the necessary committees to make this campaign a success.

If you want to participate, please contact Carolyn Crain at 626 300-0778.

Grant Application Update

On March 26, 2003 the City of San Marino delivered a second cycle application for a California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Grant to the California State Library, Office of Library Construction for funds to build a new San Marino Public Library. The schematic design plans are identical to the plans submitted in the first cycle application of June 2003. Estimated construction costs have increased only slightly from $5,385, 000 in the cycle one application to $5,522,000 in cycle two. The estimated total project cost in cycle one was $11,114,125; in the Cycle Two application the estimated total project cost is $11,486,405. If the city were to be awarded a grant in cycle two, the amount received would be $7,035.651. The major factor for the increase in estimated costs are the escalators required by the grant application.

The City Council has approved a contract with Fields Devereaux Architects and Engineers (FDAE) to proceed to the next level of design with the Design Development phase. City Council has also approved funds to support a Capital Campaign to raise funds necessary for the new library building. If the Library receives a grant the Campaign goal will be in about $3 million. If the City is not awarded a State grant, the Campaign goal will be $5.5 million. The City is looking forward to a public private partnership to engage the community and raise the necessary funds locally.

New Staff Selects Shelf The San Marino Public Library now has a shelf dedicated to "Staff Selects" in the Girls and Boys Room. Staff Selects are books, videos and audio books that members of the library staff have read or viewed and can recommend to our library patrons. The new Staff Selects shelf includes Picture Books, Beginning Reader, Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult and Non-Fiction titles. The library also continues to feature Staff Selects for adults in the Main Room, next to the New Books. These also cover a wide variety of subjects and genres that may be of interest to our readers.