All the Ways to Serve Bill Wallace
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Newsletter Vol. XXXXI No. 4—Spring 2020 www.okfriends.net Strengthening Libraries in Oklahoma through Friends of Libraries All the Ways FOLIO Officers Bill Wallace Pres.—Sharon Saulmon to Serve Literary Landmark V-P—Wayne Hanway “Libraries always remind Dedication on Saturday, Sec.– Judy Haught me that there are good August 1 10:00 a.m. Treasurer-Candace Baird things in this world.” Centennial Park Asst. Treas-Gerry Hendon -Lauren Ward, American actress and singer 610 W. Texas, Chickasha Dr. Cecilia Brown Jon Douthitt When times are bad, Americans depend You are invited by the Sharon Douthitt even more on their community libraries Friends of the Chickasha Eugene Earsom for information, assistance, and enter- Public Library and FOLIO to be part of this Carla Garrison tainment. During this particular bad time special Literary Landmark dedication honoring Dr. Bill Hagen of the coronavirus pandemic and subse- the award-winning children’s author Bill Lynne Murnane quent economic upheaval, public Wallace. Dr. Karen Neurohr libraries across the state and nation Diane Pennington have been forced to close their doors to He began his professional career in Chickasha Jeannine Spencer the public. as a teacher. Wallace said, “Trying to read to a Laurie Sundborg class of 25 fourth graders who aren’t listening is This lockdown and period of social downright MISERABLE. Finally, students asked distancing to mitigate the spread of a me to tell them stories about when I was Advisory Board new and deadly virus has been hard for Connie Armstrong growing up. I soon ran out of those, so I decided all public servants, but especially hard I should make up new stories. I became a writer Dr. Bob Blackburn for library staff who have always been Hannibal B. Johnson so I could survive my first year as a teacher.” there for their communities when the Melody Kellogg going got tough. Wallace was born and raised in Chickasha Vicki Mohr (August 1, 1947 - January 30, 2012). He studied Judy Randle Ever resilient, many Oklahoma public Bruce Stone libraries went to work with the tools they Michael Wallis had on hand to serve their areas. Those Lisa Wells tools included web sites with access to FOLIO Virtual Meeting July 31 digital reference resources, online magazine articles, ebooks and audio Emeritus Board books, and even streaming movies in The FOLIO Annual Meeting has gone Virtual, Beverly Dieterlen some communities. Libraries kept their along with the Oklahoma Library Association. Jennifer Greenstreet WiFi on so community members could Our same programs are planned. You will be Robert Greenstreet access the Internet in the parking lot. A able to view them all and more. Mary Harkey pandemic in the information age means If you have not registered, go to oklibs.org. Carolyn Klepper that services can still reach many of the Registration is $60. If you have already Julia Brady Ratliff libraries’ customers. Tom Terry registered, you’ll be receiving information on Library staff hopped on Facebook to access to the meetings on Friday, July 31. offer virtual storytimes, book reviews and The last issue of the FOLIO Newsletter detailed tutorials in using digital services. The the programs which will include: Oklahoma Department of Libraries created a Virtual Programs page to help • Early Literacy Starts Today: GO OK! Oklahomans find the online programs. (Pre-kindergarten programs in Oklahoma Many of the libraries that were closed libraries) kept staff in the building to field phone • The FOLIO Awards/Author Meeting, calls and offer reference assistance. featuring author Faith Phillips • Fundraising Ideas That Work Librarians participating in a Zoom meet- You will find many other programs in which you ing to discuss the Summer Reading will be interested: library services for children, Program noted the increase in library advocacy, programming, and more from which (continued on p. 2) to select. This newsletter is the official bulletin of the Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, Inc., a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide information and assistance to strengthen libraries in Oklahoma through Friends of Libraries. It is published quarterly and mailed to members, public libraries and Friends of Libraries groups.. Editors: Sharon Saulmon ([email protected]) and Gerry Hendon From the President. Bill Wallace Literary Landmark It has been my (continued from p.1) privilege to serve this great professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. He organization as president the past received a B.S. in Elementary Education from the Univ. two years. FOLIO will continue its of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1971 and a M.S. in great legacy of strengthening Elementary Administration from Southwestern Okla. Oklahoma libraries through State University in 1974. He started teaching in 1971, Friends under the very capable and became the Principal/P.E. teacher at West leadership of Wayne Hanway. Elementary in Chickasha in 1977. The school is now Please lend your talents and skills named the Bill Wallace Education Center. Wallace left the school system in 1988 to pursue writing. He wrote to assist FOLIO in fulfilling its over 30 books, seven of which he wrote with his wife mission. Carol. He has three children, Laura, Amanda, and In a recent webinar the Justin. presenter quoted an unattributed leader, “nonprofit leaders have become much more aware that they need Wallace’s books include A Dog Who Thought He Was Santa, Snot Stew, and Goosed. He won many children’s other people to help them curate the vision of the book awards from across the country. In 1983 A Dog organization, i.e., to share the load of dreaming and Called Kitty was selected by children for the Sequoyah doing. One even said, ‘I need people more than I need Book Award. Wallace was honored in 2000 with the money.’” Spread the word about being a friend of the Arrell M. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award by the library. Supporting and advocating, as well as leading Oklahoma Center for the Book. projects and activities, are key to successful libraries. Plan to attend this special event on August 1. Friends of libraries have empowering roles for us. FOLIO wants (and needs) additional Board Members to All the Ways to Serve (continued from p. 1) assist with our critical mission. Board Members are empowered to select award winners, be Ambassadors, card sign-ups, as financially-strapped Oklahomans looked for reading and entertainment options. write newsletters and press releases, develop programs, and more. Would YOU like to be more Libraries developed plans for curbside service following involved? Please email incoming president Wayne the CDC recommendations to keep staff and patrons Hanway (whanway8 @gmail.com), expressing your safe. When Ada Library Director Jolene Poore received interest and giving some information about yourself. city-approval for curbside pickup, she reported one of her staff members was running around in excitement as The FOLIO Board met virtually in April. “he was so happy to get materials in people’s hands.” • Best Friends Awards were given to Meeker Friends While controversial for some in the library community, of the Library and the Stilwell Public Library Friends curbside services were advocated by many librarians in Society. These will be featured in the summer order to serve those community members who lacked newsletter. access to online services. The pandemic has put • Scholarships were awarded. (See the article on p.3 America’s digital divide in the spotlight. for award winners.) We miss our libraries; our libraries are also feeling loss. • Libraries are extending electronic resources, giving Phased re-openings are happening now. temporary library cards, planning and conducting virtual programs, and exploring how to reach the Miami (OK) Public Library made national news on PBS community segments that do not have Internet News Hour’s website, where children’s librarian Judy access. Beauchamp touted the library’s online and curbside pickup services. Beauchamp shared a photo of chalk • Advocacy for libraries is needed at the local level, art she created on the side of the Miami library with as local governments develop their budgets for next hearts and flowers sharing the cement canvas with the year. words “We miss You!” • FOLIO’s endowment campaign is planned for fall. • Literary Landmarks to honor the contributions of Robert Conley in Cushing and Mel Tolson in Langston are planned for this fall. Watch for more information in the next newsletter and on Facebook. • FOLIO’s membership drive is now. (Please send in your membership renewal.) • Sharon Douthitt, FOLIO Ambassador, reported that Claremore Friends of the Library is having virtual meetings. They plan to have more frequent newsletters and include book reviews. —Sharon Saulmon, FOLIO President Scholarships Jason Little is Circulation Department Supervisor at the Martin Regional Library Congratulations to the following in the Tulsa City-County Library System. FOLIO Support Staff Scholarship winners! He began with the library system 11 years ago and is beginning his graduate program this fall to be open for more Ashley Kyle is Programs opportunities. Director & Literacy Coordinator at the Donald W. Reynolds Library & Little has a degree in Business Adminis- Community Center in Durant. tration and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management. As a public school teacher in a low- income area, Ashley saw first-hand He loves working at the library. “It’s rare how difficult circumstances affected to have a job that you look forward to children and their education going to each day and truly makes you feel like you are success. Now working in literacy, making a difference in the lives of people in your com- she sees the outcomes of dropping out of school and the munity,” Jason said. He enjoys being a supervisor and need to learn to read or get their high school diplomas training and developing staff to help them reach their later in life.