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Friends of the Ramona Library

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Monthly Bookstore Sale

 


Article provided by Charlene Pulsonetti, Ramona Home Journal

        

Maxine McNamara loves libraries. 

Though there is a certain coziness to the small, quaint book  repositories of yesteryear, she is happy to have seen their format  evolve to accommodate new ways of learning and, in the case of Ramona  Library, the needs of its people.

"I like the peacefulness and the quietness, and the activities and the opportunities for information,” she says.

McNamara is president of the Friends of the Ramona Library, a  501(c)(3) that supports library projects, materials and programs through  supplemental funding. 

The Friends group helped fund the construction of additional rooms  at the library’s previous location and contributed $1.2 million toward  the new branch when it moved to its current location at 1275 Main St.  FORL has also commissioned art to make the branch more attractive,  including ceramic murals by artist Betsy K. Schulz and stained-glass  windows by James Hubbell.

"I think that when we were raising money for the branch to build  the new library, we were on people’s minds all the time,” says McNamara.  "And people were very energetic — they raised more than a million  dollars to build the branch. It’s been quieter because we provide  ongoing support. It’s not just one thing we do.”

This year, FORL has already donated $21,750.

"(It supports) crafts, summer learning clubs, honorariums for programs, magazines, newspapers and subscriptions,” she says.

In recent months, the library has added an array of programs at no  cost to the community, such as painting classes, youth clubs and park  ranger story time, to name a few.

The organization is funded by its membership, charitable trusts,  and The Open Book bookstore, which is located in the southwest corner of  the building. 

The store is stocked with donated goods, and along with new and  older titles, there is a dedicated section for children’s books and  electronic media.

"We also sell on Amazon — that’s a big chunk of what the Friends make,” she says.

Because they have increased the donation allowance from one to two  bags of books per person, per day, there is a need for additional  volunteers to sort and clean materials, as well as work in the shop.

"It’s a lot more fun when we have more than one person,” she says.

The store is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday  from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. It is  closed on Sundays.


Though the group’s primary role is to provide fiscal support,  McNamara explains that members work closely with library administration  to lend a hand and offer suggestions. One thing she would like to see is  more reading material for Ramona’s Spanish-speaking residents.  Additionally, she would like to collaborate with other nonprofits.

One of the easiest ways to support FORL is to become a member — visit friendsoframonalibrary.org.

"The best thing about being a member is seeing what we can do for the library and the community,” she says. 

"I think our library is unique because it’s a community center.  They offer so much more than books and the internet. They offer health  screenings, the fire department came and gave shots, and nonprofits can  reserve the community room.”

While the basic components of each library are similar, their  unique qualities come from the love — and support — they receive from  the community they serve.





Serving on the board of directors is another way to volunteer.  McNamara says a board election will be held soon, and individuals with  new ideas are invited to apply.

"Being a director means attending a one-hour meeting every two months,” she says. "We need at least 11 people on the board.”

For information, email McNamara at wildrose@barneymc.com or Patsy Heald at pjheald@aol.com.


Extra hands will also be needed as the group prepares for Authors’  Day, which will return on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, from 1 to 4 p.m.


"We will have a panel of authors, and they will be able to sell  and sign books,” she says. "It’s going to be all local authors — we hope  to have people that have published recently.”


The event’s guest speaker will be Julian resident and author Angie  Brenner, whose work includes "Seeking Beauty: Jim’s Gift,” a book about  James Hubbell.  


"The best thing about being a member is seeing what we can do for the library and the community,” she says. 

"I think our library is unique because it’s a community center.  They offer so much more than books and the internet. They offer health  screenings, the fire department came and gave shots, and nonprofits can  reserve the community room.”


While the basic components of each library are similar, their  unique qualities come from the love — and support — they receive from  the community they serve.

Volunteers Needed

Bookstore volunteers needed. No experience just a willingness to process incoming book donations, shelving inventory and waiting on customers!  Shifts are 2-1/2 hours  between 10:30 - 3:30. 2 hour shifts on Tuesday 12-4. Pickup an application at  the bookstore!

Many ways to Support!

Renew your membership when it’s due and consider giving a little extra. 

Volunteer at the Open Book Store. An application is available at the store. 

 Purchase a tile on our donor wall; the application is on this website  at friendsoframonalibrary.org/donor-wall.   

New Members

Donate to the FORL via this website via paypal below or donate books at the Book Store. Please keep donations to 2 bags or boxes, no magazine or encyclopedias.


New Members

New Members

  Sign up for the Amazon Smile program, smile.amazon.com. On your first visit, you'll be prompted to choose a charity. 

New Members

New Members

New Members

Encourage your friends and relatives to become members.  

NEW HOURS

Open Saturdays 10:30-3:30

 

Help Our Cause

Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.

Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

Monthly Calender of Events

Donor Wall

  • Honor family or cherished friends.  • Remember a loved one.  • Leave a legacy. • Celebrate your child’s Scout troop or third grade  class.  • Recognize your business or favorite organization. Funds raised through the Friends directly support the Ramona Library and our local students through scholarships. The minimum donation is $250. Donor forms are available at the library or below.  Our new donor wall which was designed by Betsy K. Schulz, was installed in September 2017.

Donor Wall plaque form (pdf)Download

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