Staff at the Healdsburg Library have truly enjoyed sharing the newly modernized space at 139 Piper St. with all of our community members this year. Our door count has been considerably higher than before the project, in line with pre-pandemic numbers and sometimes even higher as patrons rediscover the library and find out ways they can take advantage of this public resource.
Members of the Friends of the Healdsburg Library (FoHL) were pleased to see so many people eager to check out their book sale last week. FoHL book sales often mark our busiest weeks of the year, and this was no exception.
Sometimes we find there is some confusion about how the FoHL fits in with the public library, and I wanted to provide a basic explanation. The library is a taxpayer-funded institution, provided for by a Joint Powers Agreement between Sonoma County and the cities. The library system is able to provide the basics for collections, services and programs needed to make a successful public library.
The FoHL is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fundraising and supporting the library financially and otherwise. It is a separate entity from the library, but we work closely together.
Funding from the FoHL can provide support for the hardworking staff, like appreciation lunches, or otherwise “take things to the next level.” For instance, it was FoHL funding added to the recent modernization that made possible some of the most dramatic new elements in the building, including the new windows, the special reading nooks for kids and the special, laser-cut tree feature surrounding our Children’s Room.
Those who would like more information about the FoHL may inquire at the library, visit the library web site, follow the FoHL Facebook or Instagram accounts, or write an email to fr*****************@***il.com.
As usual, we have several programs of interest coming up on the horizon. On Saturday, April 4, at 2pm we will host the Santa Rosa Symphony’s String Quartet for a performance at the library for all ages. The event will kick off National Poetry Month with the interplay of poetry and music.
As we enjoy the warmer temperatures of spring, our community begins to look outside and we follow the same patterns in our programming and outreach. Also on Saturday, April 4, at 11am we invite you to a UC Master Gardener program, “Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs.” Presented by Bruce Robinson, the event will teach attendees how to attract the kind of insects to their vegetable gardens that benefit plants and produce.
Along that line, we know that many will be wondering when our popular Storytimes in the Park start again. We will offer them on various Fridays throughout late spring, summer and early fall. For the most up-to-date information, visit our library’s web calendar at events.sonomalibrary.org or pick up a monthly flyer at the library.
