V irgil a nd Jose ph ine Gordon Memorial Libr ary NOTES Volume 1 issue Special points of interest: February 0,, 01 Greetings to all Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale- Feb.10 11 Tuesday Morning Children s Reading Program Feb.1st. Historical Skit Old 300 by Inside this issue: Librarian s Report Membership Drive Summer Reading Read to Succeed Dinosaur George Genealogy & Historical Room Note from the Trustees 1 1 1 Librarian Report: Mrs. Joyce Williams We hope this newsletter finds you well and ready for news of the library. The summer reading program will begin June 7th. Thru July 18th. Volunteers are needed to assist in the program. Our librarian, would like everyone to know that due to the closing of HALS (Houston Area Library System) the library will no longer offer the Interlibrary- Loan Program, but we hope to implement a new loan program in the near future. The staff at the library have begun an ink cartridge recycling program. For every ink cartridge turned into the Library it gets $4.00. In addition to helping the library by recycling a plastic product, you are helping the environment and keeping these cartridges out of the landfills. This will go a long way toward supporting a struggling nonprofit. Currently there are over 9700 library card issued and circulation for the first five weeks of 01 totaled,00 items checked out. The staff thanks you in advance for your support. Many changes are taking place at the library. There have been extensive cleaning and organization projects as well as remodeling projects. Please come by and take a look at the improvements that have been made. Phone: 979/885-7469 Librarian, Mrs. Joyce Williams E-mail: gordonlib@sbcglobal.net National Library Week Treasurer s Report Mission & History Memories of Old 300 President s Report List of Officers 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 Membership Drive A form that will help us update membership information (addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses will be included with this newsletter. We request you to either drop the forms or dues off at the library or mail to the address below Friends of the Library 917 North Circle Sealy, TX 77474. Thank you for your support of the Virgil & Josephine Memorial Library, and we hope to see you at a meeting or event soon!! The Board of the Friends apologizes for the lateness in mailing out dues information. By vote of the membership the new amounts for the annual dues are as follows:i Individual...$0.00 Business.$50.00
Page NOTES Volume 1 issue Read to Succeed Every child should have a library card. Open a book and discover a world of adventure. We have several series that the children will enjoy: Percy Jackson & the Olympians Star Wars Ranger s Apprentice Alex Rider Seekers Warriors Charlie Bone Dinosaur George In 011 the Gordon Library hosted what we hope will become an annual event - Dinosaur George. George Blessing is a self taught paleontologist and animal behavior specialist who has been honored by museums and scientific societies around the world. In 007 he created and hosted the History Channel s 1 part TV special Jurassic Fight Club. Combining humor with an expert touch Dinosaur George entertains crowds of children and adults all over the USA. Mr. Blessing travels with a collection of fossils and scientific recreations that are the envy of anyone who studies prehistoric life. For more information visit his website: www.dinosaurgeorge.com A Note From the Library s Board of Trustees: Gordon Memorial Genealogy & Local Historical The Virgil & Josephine Gordon Memorial Library is looking forward to a fantastic year in 01 with many new programs and events scheduled. The library provides free service to all residents of Austin County and it also provides a host of other services. Did you know that the federal, state, county, and city governments all utilize the library facilities. The Library is a polling place for all elections and also hosts FEMA, the IRS, and the Children s Protective Agency. It supports community actions programs and the following meet and provide services from the library: Focus on the Family, Raising Academic Performance, Inc., Combined Community Action, Adult Literacy (new 9n 01), Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Connecting Families to Learning (Fall 01). In addition the Sealy Area Historical Society, the Retired Teacher s Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the City of Brazos County all hold their meetings at the library.
Volume 1 issue NOTES Page 3 Celebrate National Library Week April 8-14, 01 Celebrating National Library Week was first sponsored in 1958. National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contribution of our nation s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support all types of libraries public schools, academic and special participants. Theme for the National Library Week. YOU BELONG @ YOUR LIBRARY 013 April 14-0 014 April 13-19 Mission & History Founded in October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, The American Library Association was created to provide leadership for the development. promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. National Library Week is observed each year in April, generally the second full week: Dwayne Virnau, Treasurer, Reports: A consistent fundraiser for the Friends has been our regular book sales. We typically have a spring and a fall book sale, with a one day mini-sale slipped in whenever the calendar permits. Some of the books are extra ones that the library no longer needs, but most of the books in the book sale are donated by members of the Friends and other supporters of the Gordon Memorial L. Our most recent book sale was held Friday and Saturday February 10-11, and over that two day period we raised nearly $350. In 011we raised approximately $1400 through our book sales. Thanks to all our supporters, both those who donate books and those who buy them! Look for our next major sale in the fall, and if you have books you would like to donate to our next sale, please call the library at 979/ 885-7469 to arrange a time for drop off.
Volume 1 Issue Notes: Page 4 Almost 00 years ago the first authorized settlement of families from the United States came into what was then a Texas owned by Mexico became situated along the banks of the Brazos and Colorado rivers. Stephen F. Austin, leader of the settlement and known as the Father of Texas established his headquarters in San Felipe in what is not Austin County. Between 184 and 187 approximately 300 land grants were given covering an area that now extends into 19 Texas counties. The families that received these original land grants have become known as the Old 300 and they along with their descendants have played a crucial part in making what is now the State of Texas. On Tuesday February 1, 01 @1P.M. a free luncheon/lecture by Betty Strauss, giving a presentation of Memories of the Old 300 as told by Penelope Johnson Allen. History of Virgil and Josephine Gordon memorial Library: The Virgil and Josephine Gordon Memorial Library was established in March 1979 as a result of a bequest in the will of Dr. Virgil Gordon. The will left instructions for the trustees to construct, establish, furnish and maintain in the City of Sealy a library to be named the Virgil and Josephine Gordon Memorial Library for the advancement of education and enjoyment of the residents of Sealy, TX and surrounding communities. The library was constructed and has 917 North Circle Street Sealy, TX 77474 Presidents Report: Dennis Holder I have witnessed so many wonderful moments since I have been associated with the Friends of the Library. This year we have already had a two day Book Sale, we have an Arthur's luncheon scheduled for February. We are working on an event in April where we will have a local Arthur bring some of his art and read poetry from his last book soon to be released. We are discussing a photographer s exhibition. Houston Rodeo art entries from our local Sealy ISD school children. These activities are being worked on for the months between January and May. The Friends are also assisting and supporting the Library staff on extending the Summer Reading Program. In partnership with the Sealy Area Historical Society, (SAHS), we are planning an event in February, we will be at the SAHS Spring picnic and we are discussing other joint community events. We will have other events in the Fall and Winter of 01, including Santa at the Library. Our Library is mire active than ever before. The staff has been and continues to work as hard as possible to continue the programs; bringing new programs and seeking additional programs all for the benefit of anyone who walks into the Library. Gordon Memorial Library provides to everyone so many wonderful opportunities; only requirement is to come. Words do not come to me that explain how much enjoyment comes just by being a member and volunteer with the Friends. I look forward to seeing you when you come in and if you have questions I can be contacted at: holder.dennis@gmail.com or 83/49-879, dh Friends of the Library 01 013 Officers: Dennis Holder President Mary Emerson -V. President Dwayne Virnau Treasurer Vacant Secretary Joyce Williams Librarian Board of Trustees: Bill Moehl Chairperson