branch buddies news ARCHIVE
Will You BeFriend Your Favorite Library?
Begun in 2005, the Branch Buddy program supports our local branches with volunteer help. Buddies have stocked the FOL brochure holders and publicized the 10 Most Wanted Book List, those books most needed by the library system. In several branches, the programs have been mightily successful as Buddies have helped at story times for children, hosted author visits, and staffed booths at community events.
We have openings in several branches for Buddies, so anyone interested in joining this program should call the appropriate coordinator:
Suzanne Freeman (966-7226): Farragut, Cedar Bluff, West Knox, and Sequoyah;
Vicki Creed (577-7655): Howard Pinkston, South Knox, Burlington, Lawson McGhee, and Murphy;
Elnora Williams (947-6773): Karns, Powell, Norwood, and Carter;
Ginna Mashburn (584-0729): Halls, Fountain City, North Knox, Mascot and Corryton.
Library Top Ten List: You can never have too many of a hot best-seller. The Library wait-list is long, and the circulation department would love to have many more copies to lend. Please check this site frequently. The list will be updated as these needs are met and new ones arise. Thank you!
Branch Buddies Benefit Burlington
When do Branch Buddies Pat Donaldson and Brett Burdick show up at the Burlington Branch?
According to Jeff Johnson, the library’s manager, Pat and Brett come to Burlington “Every time we need them—even on short notice.” For example, they helped to serve lunch for the staff on October 21, and only two days later they offered their assistancewith the mini book sale.
In the past Brett, who is facetiously described as the branch’s “personal shopper,” has often run out to purchase items that were needed for a special event at the library. Pat was on hand to help set up the Community room (sometimes they move furniture!) 
and to serve refreshments when author Sharyn McCrumb spoke there last summer. Both Buddies, wearing the Hat of the Cat, have welcomed children to the library’s annual Dr. Seuss party. And why do they volunteer as Buddies?
Pat, who came to the area three years ago from Denton, TX, said that helping out at the library has been “a good way to meet your neighbors.”
Brett fell under the recruiting spell of Maggie Carini when she was president of the Friends; he says, “She’s got a way about her” that makes it impossible to say no to an invitation to work with the Friends. Living in the 4th and Gill area nearby, he often had visited the branch with friends.
What are some of the rewards of being a Branch Buddy? Belonging to a community that cares about its children is part of the pay-back.
Pat remembers witnessing the excitement of the children when they gathered around Bill Williams to hear the celebrity reader at a Dr. Seuss party. Brett recalls the youngsters’ exhilaration at the library’s insect exhibit. “Kids love bugs,” he said, and he’ll never forget seeing them hold caterpillars and kissing cockroaches. Now that’s a memory!
Mini Book Sale at Burlington Branch
The Burlington Branch held a Friends sponsored Mini Book sale on Saturday, May 17, 2008, in the community room of the library. Jeff Johnston, branch manager, and staff member Julie Piller had collected donated books for several months and as a result had the sale room full of hundreds of used books separated by category. Branch Buddies who helped with the sale included Pat Donaldson and Brett Burdick with assistance from trained used book sale FOL members Bonny Naugher, Suzanne Freeman, Julie Webb and Maggie Carini. Buyers were lined up at the door and there was a steady flow of traffic all day. The sale ended with the traditional $3 bag sale and was a resounding success. The youngest readers/buyers were twins Adaisha and Adarius, who at 16 months, were eager to look at board books. Of course, they are already avid listeners/readers who receive Imagination Library books every month.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this mini-book sale a success.
Powell Branch Buddies Go Green
The Powell Branch Library is actively involved in recycling. The Powell Branch Buddies will be assisting library employees by taking those materials to the local recycling center.
Author's Night at Powell Branch Library
The Powell Branch Library hosted "Author's Night" on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. This event featured four local authors, David Hunter, cartoonist Charlie Daniels, Christy French and Henry Puckett, all residents of the Powell community. These authors presented an informative panel discussion on different kinds of writing and publishing options and opportunities. Powell Branch Buddies Jennifer and Bill Crosland helped with the program.
From left to right : David Hunter, Charlie Daniels, Christy French and Henry Puckett.
West Knox Branch Buddies Get Rocking
West Knox Library's Baby Bookworms program is a little more comfortable thanks to the addition of a new rocking chair for the program leader.
Donation of the chair was arranged by West Knox Branch Buddies for use at library events including the Baby Bookworms program.
In this photo Ashley Little of the West Knox Library introduces the Baby Bookworms to the planet with readings, songs, and other activities, including a plant greeting the morning.
I would not eat them in a house...
Burlington Branch Buddies helped their library celebrate Dr. Suess' Birthday and Read Across America Day on March 2 with a birthday party featuring readings of Dr. Suess classics by several local celebrities including WBIR anchor Bill Williams and former UT chancellor Bill Snyder.
Branch Buddy Karen Dhyanchand even dressed as the Cat in the Hat.
Children who attended got to participate in several activities including making their own Suess hats. They were also entered in a drawing for a Dr. Suess prize package and got to take home activity bags. Pink Lemonade (Pink Ink) and Goldfish crackers ( One Fish, Two Fish, Redfish, Bluefish ) were served as refreshments.
Branch Buddies pictured (click photo to enlarge) left to right include Julie Piller, Mary Rogers, little Asha Warren, Brett Burdick, and Karen Dhyanchand.
On Friday, March 23, author Sharyn McCrumb came to the Burlington Branch and spoke to a crowd of 75 people. Her latest book series has a NASCAR theme and she entertained the audience with her stories of meeting NASCAR drivers such as Ward Burton. Branch Buddies Pat Donaldson and Mary Rogers, along with FOL members Suzanne Freeman, Kelley Segars, Bonny Naugher and Martha Gill helped organize the evening as well as provided refreshments for this enjoyable evening.
North Knox Branch Buddies Reach Out to ESL Students to Provide Information, Encourage Library Use
North Knox Branch Buddies Linda Meier and Dottie Stamper, along with Michael Carini, (fluent Spanish speaker and son of Branch Buddy chair Maggie Carini), made presentations at three separate Adult School English (ESL) evening classes at Knox High School in mid-February. The classes included several non-English and limited-English language students and their families.
The branch buddies handed out library card applications and maps identifying branch library locations. The leaders described in detail the services and multimedia materials available at these locations and encouraged the participants to visit their local library --emphasizing that the library is a free (not always the case in their native countries) and welcoming environment! [4/07]
Powell Branch Buddies Help Facilitate Slideshow and Iditarod Lecture
Powell Branch Buddies helped organize a slideshow and lecture at the Powell Branch Library on March 12 by Dr. James C. Sternberg, a nature photographer and veterinarian at Powell Animal Hospital who traveled to Alaska to observe the famous Iditarod dog sled race.
North Knoxville Library Branch Buddies Work with Love Tower Residents, Administration to Facilitate Reading Programs
Members of the North Knoxville Library Branch Buddies visited with residents of Love Tower retirement community recently to raise awareness of the library's programs and assess the residents' media needs.
Branch buddies discussed starting a book group with the residents and conducted a survey to help residents consolidate their thoughts about what they would like to read and what they would want to get out of a book group. Discussions about the bookgroup prompted the idea among Love Tower staff to initiate a program to play audio books during the residents' craft times, thereby accommodating a wide range of reading levels.
The Branch Buddies instructed the residents about the library's many services including those that deliver books to the homebound. They also distributed library card applications and other library information. Residents are planning a group outing to the library on an upcoming Friday.
In addition to library information and book club facilitation, the Branch Buddies did what libraries do best--books!! Branch Buddies replenished books as part of an inhouse paperback book exchange at Love Tower. This is an ongoing program that the Branch Buddies will maintain. Books are supplied by donations of paperbacks made to the branch library. [3/16/07]
HOWARD PINKSTON
History of Howard Pinkston Library
On August 6, 2000, Bonny Kate library was officially opened, adjacent to the new French Memorial Park in South Knox County. It was the 17th branch in the Knox County Public Library system. It was originally named for �Bonnie Kate� (Catherine Sherrill Sevier), the second wife of John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee. The facility is in a picturesque setting and serves the South Knox County communities of Bonny Kate and Mt. Olive, as well as some citizens of Seymour, Rockford and others in north Blount County who pay a yearly fee.
The facility was renamed Howard Pinkston Library in January 2004, in honor of a former county commissioner who represented this district. There is a memory garden dedicated to Mr. Pinkston at the entrance to the library. The community group that created it continues to make additional plantings.
The meeting room, which can accommodate 20, is used for scout troop meetings and a library story time for pre-schoolers. The room is also available for use by neighborhood organizations. Other features of this branch include four internet access computers and an express terminal for those without library cards. There is a color printer in addition to a black and white printer. Tax and copier machines may be used for a nominal fee.
Contributed by Cheryl Ragsdale and Joe Trahern
HALLS
Branch Buddy Margaret Soenen is organizing a book club which is scheduled to begin meeting at the Halls Branch in January. Buddy Carla Hatfield is arranging for an advertisement for members in The Halls Shopper. Branch Manager Sally Dill is helping with the choice of books and the format.
Contributed by Susan Wallace.