Archive for the 'A Little Help From Our Friends' Category

The Friends of Overbrook Park Library held their Back-to-School Bonanza on August 24 and 25. And it was a great success!

With donations from local merchants, and matching funds, the Friends were able to provide school supplies or help reduce the financial burden of heading back to school for at least 25 students in our community. The smiles of the students (and their parents) were to be treasured by all.

The Friends would like to thank everyone who helped out with the event by canvassing merchants for donations, making, donating, and selling baked goods, packaging gifts, and contacting winners.  All of these jobs were vital for this event and it would not have been successful without their help!

Going forward, be on the lookout for information regarding the library’s patio and immediate landscape area as well as a fun Halloween event.  We are looking for VOLUNTEERS!

On August 10, 2010, a perfect summer afternoon, the Friends of the Oak Lane Library celebrated the Centennial of the Laying of the Cornerstone of the Oak Lane Library which occurred on August 10, 1910. Michael Poxon organized a celebration to commemorate the day and invited the community to a short program followed by a cook-out. He gave a speech in which he outlined how residents of Oak Lane raised the money to buy the ground which was donated to the Free Library of Philadelphia so that a Carnegie Library could be built in Oak Lane. He also presented to Deb Ahrens a shadow box that contained the Ribbon and Certificate given to the Friends of the Oak Lane Library by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in 2009 for winning third place in the City Gardens Contest. Siobhan Reardon, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and representatives from the offices of Dwight Evans and Marian Tasco enjoyed the festivities with over 65 members of the community.

Siobhan Reardon, President Free Library of Philadelphia, Deb Ahrens, Oak Lane Branch Manager,& Michael Poxon, President Friends of the Oak Lane Library

Marilyn Gaithers, Storyteller and Friend of the Oak Lane Library, wearing a 100 year old wedding dress, entertains the attendees with a selection of 100 year old books.

The East Kensington Explorer’s Club was a five-week long, free children’s program held at the Kensington Library and the Hagert Street Playground this July. Roughly 25 children from the Norris Square Summer Camp and neighboring schools (ages 9-12) participated in the program.

Designed by Julius Rivera and Masha Badinter, the sessions specialized in art and music as a means to work on character development and community building for the children. Each week, a different member from the community came in and introduced a new art project that tied into an underlying moral lesson. For example, Leslie Rogers, an active member in the community, came in and taught the children how to make puppets. They were then led to treat the puppets as if they were themselves, listing good quality traits about themselves and each other.

Another key part of the weekly programs was a drumming activity led by Julius in which he gave each child a chance to participate in a community drum circle. This was something the kids really responded to both as an outlet for energy and a venue to build a relationship with one another, the counselors, and the program leaders. Each lesson had a focus on the local community. This kept the children engaged and productive as they were faced with issues that they could relate to and were interested in. It was a great first run and we look forward to bringing the program back next summer!

The East Kensington Explorer’s Club was sponsored by the East Kensington Neighbor’s Association, NKCDC’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and the Friends of Kensington Library.

This month, the Friends of the South Philadelphia branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia raised over $350 through a Phillies raffle promotion. The winner received a basket which included two tickets to the July 24th game, a Phillies shirt, hat and ball. The game tickets were generously donated by a South Philly Friends board member. The newly raised funds will be used to purchase early childhood literacy materials for the branch’s youngest patrons.

For those interested in getting involved, the next meeting of the South Philadelphia Friends is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22 at 6:15 p.m. at the South Philadelphia branch, at the corner of Broad and Morris streets.

Pictured, left to right, are Susan Posternock (Board Member of the South Philly Friends), JoAnn Woods (Children’s Librarian at the branch), Jennifer Brank (Board Member of the South Philly Friends), Amy Dougherty (Executive Director of the Friends of the Free Library) and Katie McDonald (Board Member of the South Philly Friends).

Stop into the South Philadelphia Library and get your chance to win a Phillies Gift Basket. Raffle tickets are on sale for just $1 and all proceeds will go to buy young literacy materials for the branch.

basket includes:

• Two tickets to Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies, Section 112, Row 22
  Saturday, July 24th, 4:10 p.m.
  Fan Photo Day: Get pictures on the field with the team!!
• Phillies t-shirt
• Phillies hat
• Softee Phillies baseball

The drawing will be held at the next Friends Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. You do not have to be present to win.

The meeting will be held at the library:
South Philadelphia Library
1700 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
215.685.1866

Friends of Haddington met Saturday, June 12 to break ground on the Library’s garden. Councilman Curtis Jones officiated the groundbreaking at 9:30 a.m. Following that, the Friends and other volunteers cleared ground, laid compost & mulch, and planted beds of roses. This garden is made possible by generous donations and support from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Fairmount Park, and Councilman Curtis Jones.

Friends of Whitman Library held their Books, Baked goods, and Bric-à-brac sale (BBB) in front of the library on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friends, patrons, and vendors all enjoyed the day. Now you can enjoy these pictures.

April 2010

The following pictures are from a mixed-media art show at the Whitman Library. The art was created by students at the Sharswood Elementary School after an idea from the Whitman Friends Group. This is the start of a new partnership between the school and the Friends.