Dear Friends,

I am sure you have noticed the banner hanging outside the Fruitville Library. The Florida Library Association presented Sarasota County with the 2012 “Library of the Year Award.” Congratulations to all the Sarasota County libraries and Library employees who have worked very hard and many hours to make this award possible. We are very proud that Sarasota Libraries are the best in Florida.

The library was very busy this summer with all of the children’s programs funded by the Friends of the Fruitville Library. Although the children are now back at school, there are still many programs to attend at the Fruitville Library for children and adults. Check the library website for a complete listing.

We are working with the Sarasota County Library Foundation and a web developer on a website for the Friends of the Fruitville Library. This is very exciting and will bring us up-to-date in the computer world, where you will be able to access newsletters (past and present), donate money, become a member, shop at Amazon.com, checkout all the latest news, and email us your ideas and comments.

At the present time, the Friends of the Fruitville Library are seeking additional people to serve on the Board of Directors and to join the team as we advocate for the library, promote literacy programs, plan events, and raise funds to purchase books and equipment.

We hope we can interest and involve community members to become more active and help us expand our outreach. We would especially love to see more young people at our meetings; this is a great introduction to the process of serving as a board member in our community. If you or someone you know may be interested in spending a few hours a week supporting the Fruitville Library, please contact me at 371-3219.

We are sorry to see our past President, Jayne Hochschild, retire from the Friends Board of Directors and move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jayne has worked for libraries in Sarasota County since she moved here in 1995. She has contributed so much to the Friends Board of Directors since the Fruitville Library opened in 2001 and by volunteering in the bookstore and at library functions. Please join us in wishing her well in her move north to be closer to her family.

I would like to welcome Suellen Williams as our most recent addition to the Friends of the Fruitville Library Board of Directors. Suellen has recently retired from the Lee County Library System.

I would also like to introduce Karen Crawford as a recent new Board member. Karen has been working as a volunteer in the Friends Bookstore for the last year. Stop by and say hello. Welcome aboard, Suellen and Karen!

Be sure to mark your calendar for the Fall Bazaar, November 1-3, which will be held inside the library.

Also mark your calendar for the Annual Meeting in January.

Sincerely,
Kathy