Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library

Yoga, Poetry, art and More

The remaining Chair Yoga classes in the Community Room are as follows: March 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, and 24^th will all be hybrid, and March 31^st will be Zoom only. We’ll be considering additional classes for our Wellness Program for future sessions, so look for information about dates and times coming up.

We’re getting ready to send out submission forms for our popular Poetry Contest, and once we receive all the original poems and finish judging them, we’ll be holding our awards celebration on May 17^th at the Intermediate School cafetorium. Brochures will be available later this month on how to submit a poem.

This year’s Art Show and Sale will take place in the magazine section of the library the week of April 22^nd through the 28^th with intake of submissions on April 20^th and 21^st. More soon on the guidelines of what and how to submit one of your pieces to the show.

Finally, with the strange contrasts in our weather lately, it’s been difficult planning activities to get us through the rest of the winter and early spring. Indoor weather, though, is more predictable, so with that in mind, why not check out the Museum Pass program at the library, sponsored by the Friends? Depending on the museum, the program allows for free or reduced admission rates for adults and children to a wide variety of local museums and sites that will offer welcome variety to the remaining days of winter and early spring when being outdoors can be pretty iffy! Some of the museums available in the program include the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, the Mutter Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, the Newark Museum of Art, the Battleship New Jersey, Independence Seaport Museum, the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, Museum of the American Revolution, and National Liberty Museum. There are others for indoor and outdoor visits, so check out the program at the library and plan a weekend excursion soon before it (finally) snows and you’re stuck indoors! Visit the library’s website or call 856-665-5959, ext. 3 to check on the availability of any passes you’re interest in. Only library members in good standing are eligible to use the program, however, so if you’re not already a member, this sounds like the perfect time to become one!

The Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library are always looking for new members, so if you’re interested in helping the library or helping us come up with new and exciting events, please call us at 856- 665-595 9, ext. 7 and leave a message so we can get back to you.

Winter Events, Yoga, and STREAM Fundraising Progress

Our 50/50 and basket raffles were very successful and allowed us to make a great head start to our Step Up To STREAM initiative. We netted more than $2,100 toward our Phase 1 goal of $10,000 to buy new technology for the Makers Space in the new library. Additional opportunities to support this goal will be announced in upcoming months, and you can learn more about STREAM on the library’s webpage at http://www.pennsaukenlibrary.com/STREAM.

The makeup Chair Yoga classes we had to cancel last month are now scheduled for January
20th (hybrid in Community Room and Zoom), January 27th (Zoom only), and February 3rd
(hybrid). New classes we’re adding will be February 10th and 17th (hybrid), February 24th (Zoom only), March 3rd, 10th, 17th and 31st (all hybrid), and March 24th (Zoom only).

Please note that we won’t be holding a Munch and a Movie program in January, but other events will be happening, so don’t fret. Look for another bake sale on February 11th in the lobby. (And since that’s close to Valentine’s Day, maybe you’ll decide to stop over so you can buy your special someone something delicious besides candy? Just sayin’).

We’re also planning a Pop-up Book Sale around V. Day as well, featuring romance novels along with sci-fi and fantasy reads in our magazine section. More specifics next month.

Finally, all of us in the Friends of the Pennsauken Library wish you a healthy and happy
2023 and thank you as always for your support.

Get in the Fall Mood with a book at our Book and Media Sale

We’ll be going all spooky Halloween-themed at our next Munch and a Movie get together in the library’s Community Room on Tuesday, October 18^thbeginning at 1 p.m. We’re digging up a fun, not-too-scary movie to get us into the trick or treat mood, so bring the lunch (and a friend?) and we’ll treat you to snacks and beverages. BTW, you can find out the name of the movie by calling the library at 856-665-5959, ext. 3 after October 5^th; we’re just not allowed to announce the title beforehand.

We can announce, though, that after a two-year delay, it’s almost here: our Book and Media Sale. Remember that the last day we can accept donations for this much-anticipated event will be October 8^th because then comes the daunting task of sorting and arranging all the books and media donations so you can browse and buy to your heart’s content. Please, please, please do not leave any donations outside the library or directly in the Community Room. Instead, bring them to the circulation desk where you’ll be given a receipt you can then fill out for tax purposes. Books must be in good condition, textbooks and computer related materials shouldn’t be more than two years old, and DVDs and CDs must be in their original sleeves or boxes and sets should be complete. Any other electronic media will not be accepted, nor will any travel brochures, magazines, product pamphlets, etc. In the meantime, if you’d like to volunteer to help us set up the sale, help out during the sale, or pack up leftovers after the sale is over, we’d love to have you. Please call the library 856-665-5959, ext. 7 and leave a message so we can get back to you. We promise no heavy lifting!

The sale runs Friday, October 21^st and Saturday, October 22^nd during regular library hours, and Sunday, October 23^rd from 1-3 p.m. On Thursday, October 20^th from 5-7 p.m. there’s a private preview sale for Friends of the Library members only. If you’re not already a member, you can actually join at the door that night and give yourself the opportunity to be one of the first to check out all that great merchandise!

Meanwhile, our fall wellness program continues with Chair Yoga on Friday October 7^th at 10:30 a.m. This is a hybrid class available in both virtual and in-person in the Community Room. The link for those of you who prefer a virtual session is https://tinyurl.com/folyoga22, and if you’re coming in person, contact the library at extension 3 to register. Mindful Eating Meditation takes place October 14^th and 21^st at 10:30 a.m., and both sessions are virtual only, using the same link as for Chair Yoga. Then, more Chair Yoga classes are scheduled for November 4^th, 11^th, and 18^that 10:30 a.m. The November 4^th and 18^th are both hybrid classes. The November 11^th class is virtual only since the library will be closed then for Veterans’ Day.

Our annual fall raffle tickets go on sale on October 1^st at the library’s circulation desk at the cost of $2 each or 3 for $5. Prizes? Five beautiful gift baskets worth a minimum of $250 each filled with merchandise and gift cards from local businesses. All the baskets will be on display at the library starting October 1^st. The drawing takes place at the library November 16^th, and five lucky winners will each get to take one home.

Finally, don’t forget to get your 50-50 raffle tickets from the Friends at various youth sporting events this coming season. You can’t miss us at the Friends table near the snack stand.

And as always, thank you for your support! Remember, everything we do helps us help the Pennsauken Free Public Library.

Book Sale, Raffle, Munch and a Movie, and Wellness Classes- Welcome to Fall With the Friends!

The Friends will start accepting donations for the Book and Media sale on Tuesday,
September 20 th during regular library hours. (The library is closed Monday the 19th for an
in-service training.) Please don’t leave books or electronic media outside the front door. Instead,
bring all your donations to the circulation desk where you’ll receive an acknowledgement of
your donations. Books must be in good condition with no damage or marking (except perhaps for
the classics you made notes in for class)! Textbooks and computer related materials shouldn’t be
more than two years old. We all know how fast technology changes and becomes obsolete. Also,
we can’t accept any travel brochures, magazines, product pamphlets, etc. DVDs and CDs must be in their original sleeves or boxes and sets should be complete. No other electronic media will be accepted, so all those 8-track or Beta tapes you’ve been saving will have to remain in the attic. Sorry. 🙂

The last day for donating items will be October 8 th since we’ll have to begin sorting and arranging tables in time for the sale that runs Friday, October 21 st and Saturday, October 22 nd during regular library hours, and Sunday, October 23 rd from 1-3 p.m. On Thursday, October 20 th there’s a private preview sale for Friends of the Library members only. Might be a good incentive to join if you aren’t already a member? Think of all those wonderful books you could get a first look at!

Other goings-on in September include our regular Munch and a Movie get together on
September 20 th beginning at 1 p.m. in the Community Room. Lunch is on you, and the movie,
snacks, and beverage are on us. Bring a friend and plan to spend a pleasant few hours enjoying a
first rate movie.

Our Fall Wellness Program continues with ten new sessions as follows: Everyone’s favorite,
Chair Yoga, takes place on Fridays September 9 th , 16 th , 23 rd , 30 th , and October 7 th . These are all
hybrid classes available in both virtual and in-person in the Community Room. The link for those
of you who prefer a virtual session is https://tinyurl.com/folyoga22, and if you’re coming in
person, contact the library at extension 3 to register. Mindful Eating Meditation takes place
October 14 th and 21 st , and both sessions are virtual only using the same link as for Chair Yoga.
Finally, more Chair Yoga classes are scheduled for November 4 th , 11 th , and 18 th . November 4 th
and 18 th are both hybrid classes. The November 11 th class is virtual only since the library will be
closed then for Veterans’ Day. Sign up and get ready for some excelled workouts.

And don’t forget to get your 50-50 raffle tickets from the Friends at various youth sporting events
this coming season. You won’t be able to miss us near the snack stand.

In the meantime, we’d like to thank everyone who showed up at the Friends booth during the
National Night Out event at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex. So many families
stopped by our booth and learned about our Museum Pass Program if they didn’t already know
about it. Those who had already used the program told us how appreciative they were that we
were funding the pass to the Elmwood Park Zoo this year. If you don’t know about the program,
check it out on the library’s website to see all the museums, parks, and other places of interest
you can visit free of charge in the area. It’s a great deal, and the price is definitely right!

Poetry Contest Winners!

Congratulations to all our Poetry Contest winners for this year! The awards ceremony, our first in-person one in the last two years, was well-attended and our honorees (along with their families) were all there to accept their awards from Youth Services Librarian at the Pennsauken Library, Heather Kristian. Afterwards, everyone posed for pictures. We had 266 entries this year, mostly from grades K through 1^st, and most of the topics were more serious than amusing. Here are the 18 winners and their poems: from the Fine Elementary School, first grade, Brianna Veletanga – “Yellow Zone”; Sophia Tavarez – “Happy; Madison Delmarr – “Worried Feelings”; Eric Venables – “McDonalds”, and Dessiret Siri – “Red”. From The Carson Elementary School, first grade: Fadil Uzair Umar Ali – “Goldfish”; and Carson School ELL, Ricardo Perez – “Polar Bear.” From Burling Elementary, third grade, there’s Carter Cooper – “Green,” Delair School, third grade, Crystal Ruediger – “Dog Life,” and home schooled Quintero Bibelheimer – “Real.”

But wait. There’s more. From the Intermediate School, fifth grade, Jasmine Spence – “I Can Draw”; Chaziti Montano – “Fairies” and Isis Muhammad – “Tuition on a Mission.” Three from the Phifer Middle School, sixth through eighth grades, include Marienne Mayo – “Hiding in the Dark,” Christine Ortiz – “Falling,” and Hoa Son – “Inner Self”. Finally, our Pennsauken High school winner was Rebecca Boateng – “The Biggest Storm in Human History”, and our adult winner, Dionna Hayes – “Refugee Roads.” Look for a display of the poets and their poems in the library soon. Thanks, too, to all the teachers who helped our winners: Julie Hodges, Jennifer Bowne, Darrah Roberts, Joeanna Landis, Karen Warner, Amber Bibelheimer, Lauren Morgan, Elizabeth Procida, Sonetta Ingram-Murrell, Debra Kobus, Rosemary Faford, and Edward Trautz

On another note, this month’s Munch and a Movie will be on Monday, June 27^th and, as always, features a great movie and snacks that we’ll provide. See you in the Community Room at 1:00 p.m.

June’s Yoga for Balance and Posture wellness sessions will be all on-site on June 3^rd, 10^th, and 17^th for a limited number of participants, as well as also virtual for those of you who prefer that. Be sure to have registered at the Circulation Desk beforehand since space is limited. Bring along your large scarf or belt to get the most out of these exercises, which can be done either standing or sitting. The link to join virtually is http://tinyurl.com/FOLbalance.

We’re still on target for the fall Book and Media Sale and Bake Sale on October 21-24 in the Community Room. Collection will begin in September and we’ll keep you posted when that starts. Meanwhile, we still need volunteers to help sort books, bake, or just become a member of the Friends. Let us know how we can use your talent and ideas by calling us at 856-665-5959, ext. 7.

Movies and Movement in May!

Photo by Eternal Happiness on Pexels.com

This month’s Munch and a Movie is May 16^th. (Don’t forget they’re on Mondays through June instead of our usual Tuesdays.) We’ll see in the Community Room you with your lunch at 1:00 p.m. and treat you to a nice snack and beverage while you watch the movie.

Our six-week Yoga for Balance and Posture classes will start Friday, May 6^th at 10:30 a.m. as a virtual program. The second class, May 13^th, will also be virtual, but the following classes on May 20^th, June 3^rd, 10^th, and 17^th will be on-site for a limited number of participants as well as virtual. Be sure to stop by or call the circulation desk to sign up for on-site classes beforehand. The link to register for virtual sessions is https://tinyurl.com/FOLbalance.

Please note that each on-site participant must bring and use his or her own “supplies,” either a large scarf or a belt, in order to fully participate and benefit from the exercises. The sessions will use both standing and sitting activities that can be adapted to fit individual preferences as needed.

Our Art Show and Sale was a success that everyone enjoyed after the two-year hiatus. One lucky winner even received a $25 gift card to Michael’s!

We’re excited to remind everyone that we’re starting to plan our Fall Book and Media Sale on October 21^st – 24^th in the library’s Community Room. We’ll let you know when collection will begin but until then, please start checking through closets, basements, attics and wherever to find all those books you read and media you watched to get through Covid. We should have quite an impressive display with all of us contributing! And don’t forget the bake sale that will take place then as well.

In the meantime, if you didn’t get your Friends membership renewal form or if you want to receive one, please call us at the library at 856-665-5959, ext. 7 and let us know. And if you’re willing to volunteer for an event coming up, say sorting books, helping out during the sale, baking something, etc., let us know that as well. We’ll look forward to your help.

Yoga, Movies, Art Show, and Poetry!

For those who can’t get by without their in-person or Zoom Chair Yoga sessions, take heart: you’ll have three more to look forward to in March — on Friday March 4^th , 11^th and 18^th (snow cancellation make-up) beginning at 10:30 a.m. Remember, there’s a 20-person limit for the Community Room, and if you haven’t already registered, you still can do so either at the Circulation Desk or by calling the library at 856-665-9595, ext. 3. The other option of course is to Zoom, so if you’re doing the workout from the comfort of your home, click on this link to connect: https://tinyurl.com/FOLYOGA.

Our other regular monthly event, Munch and a Movie, meets again on Tuesday, March 15^th from 1 p.m. till the movie is over. Say it with me now: bring your lunch and the Friends will supply snacks and a beverage, not to mention a first-rate movie to watch while you’re eating. Masks will still be required while you’re not eating, and of course we’ll maintain safe distances. You can check out what’s playing by calling the library’s Circulation Desk before the 15^th. Otherwise, just come prepared to enjoy the show.

Speaking of shows, let’s hope you’ve narrowed down what you’ll be submitting for our Art Show and Sale coming up April 25^th to the 30^th. It’s our first show in two years, and we want to make it special. Brochures are available at the front desk in the library explaining everything you need to know about the show and how and what to enter. Our “Meet the Artists” get-together on Saturday, April 30^th from 2-4 p.m. is an opportunity for the public to chat with your favorite artist and make a purchase if you so choose.

As a supportive lead-up to our Art Show week, we’ve scheduled a watercolor workshop on Saturday, March 12^th from 1 – 3 p.m.to give participants a chance to show their creative side. The maximum number of attendees is 20, and all participants get to use a set of paints we’ll furnish. The instructor, Fran Bennett, plans to cover basic techniques, then help participants finish a unique spring landscape to take home with them. Who knows? Maybe some of our participants will enter their paintings in the show! (As usual, it’s advisable to call the library’s Circulation Desk to sign up to make sure you have a slot.) We’re still busy putting together another pre-show workshop for April 9^th, but more about that next month once it’s finalized.

Next up, our Annual Poetry Contest. Flyers and application forms will be available at the library’s Circulation Desk. The contest is open to all Pennsauken and Merchantville residents from kindergarten to adults, and applicants cannot have won in the previous two years. All entries must be original and not previously published for print or electronic publication. Entries are due by 6 p.m. Friday, April 29^th either through the mail or electronically. You can get all the how-to details in the flyer. This year we hope to return to an in-person awards ceremony on May 18^th, but as with all things these past few years, we’ll have to wait till closer to the date to see it that will be possible. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, you have a lot to do: movies to watch, lunches to pack, artwork to be created, and poetry to be written. Have fun and remain safe.

New Year, New Activities!

Start planning what you’re going to bring for lunch because one of our most popular get togethers — Munch and a Movie — starts up again this month after waaaay too long an absence! On Tuesday, January 18^th, we’ll meet in the newly-reopened Community Room at the Pennsauken Library from noon – 3:30 to chow down on what you’ve brought for lunch (we’ll supply coffee and water) and watch a first rate movie while we’re noshing. Masks are required while you’re not eating and we’ll maintain safe distances. As always, licensing regulations don’t allow us to divulge the name of the movie, but you can find out by calling the library’s circulation desk before the 18^th to see what’s in store on the silver screen. See you on the 18^th.

In keeping with our reopening theme, we’ll be starting in-person Chair Yoga sessions again this month, after two long years, and carrying over for the next two months. The one-hour sessions will take place January 7^th, 14^th, and 21^st; February 4^th, 11^th and 18^th; and March 4^th and 11^th beginning at 10:30 a.m. Since attendance will be limited to 20 in-person attendees, there will also be the opportunity for hybrid virtual participation via Zoom with unlimited participation. Our popular wellness instructor, Michele Carlino, will conduct the sessions.

If you want the option to attend in person, either stop by the Circulation Desk to register or call the library at 856-665-9595, ext. 3 to sign up. Once we register the maximum number of in-person participants, you can request to be on the waiting list. Everyone who registers to participate in person will also be registered in Zoom, so they’ll have the option to attend virtually any time. If you’re Zooming the sessions, here’s the link: https://tinyurl.com/FOLYOGA .

Finally, even though it’s still winter, we’re thinking and planning ahead to June 5^th when the Friends will be holding our second Spring fundraiser — a Silent Art Auction and Wine Tasting event taking place at the beautiful Strain Estate (known locally as Inglesby & Sons on Cove Road). Mark your calendar and stay tuned for specifics. We’re also working out details for the resumption of our annual Art Show and Sale again in April and will have more info as they’re finalized.

September Events- Raffle and Return of the Wellness Program

Thanks to everyone who visited our drive-through lemonade stands over the summer for our Lemonade 4 Change fund raiser and who helped us nearly reach our goal of $4500. To ensure that we go over the top, the Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library will be holding a 50/50 raffle this fall. Tickets go on sale at the library on Tuesday, September 7^th and will be $2.00 each or three for $5.00. The winning ticket drawing happens on Friday, October 15^th, which would have been the opening day of our annual Book and Tech Sale but, because of Covid safety concerns, won’t be taking place again this year. Fingers crossed for 2022!

Good news, though. Our popular wellness programs will be starting up again mid-month continuing at first virtually on Friday mornings then in-person as soon as the library is able to open the Community Room to the public. You can contact the library at 856-665-5959, ext. 7 after September 13^th for additional information on how to sign up or check out our Facebook page for the registration link.

And here’s another way of helping out the library – next time you order something from Amazon (is there anyone who doesn’t?), why not consider signing up for AmazonSmile if you haven’t already done so? Write in smile.amazon.com, and you’ll see all the same merchandise, pricing, and delivery information you usually see. Only this time you can designate the Friends of the Pennsauken Library as your charity of choice, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to the Friends. There’s no fee and no cost to you — and you’ll get a double whammy for having bought something from Amazon: you got what you needed, and the Friends got a donation. How perfect is that?

Finally, a reminder that the Museum Pass program at the library is fully sponsored by the Friends organization. Most of the previous museum passes have been renewed this summer and are available for members to check out at the library. Sadly, two of the most popular (and expensive) passes — Discovery Museum and PAWS — did not renew because the museums closed at the beginning of the pandemic and will not be reopening. On a good note, though, we were able to approve the purchase of one new museum pass at the National Liberty Museum on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, and there are still a few more we’re waiting to hear back from (e.g., the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts) to see if they will be renewing their pass program. You can contact the library at 856-665-5959, ext. 3 to check on the availability of any passes you’re interest in.

Don’t forget to consider joining the Friends to lend your ideas and support to our organization. We’re looking forward to eventually resuming all our favorite activities and fund raisers and know you are as well. In the meantime, thanks again for all the support you’ve shown us, always but especially during the pandemic. And good luck with your 50/50 ticket!

July Events

We’re still getting back in the swing of “normal,” and with summer coming up and people venturing out again, here’s a reminder of our second upcoming Lemonade 4 Change event to help raise funds to increase the library’s collection of books on diversity. It’s important, especially these days, that we all try to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” to see things from different perspectives. You can help us help the library by coming out on Sunday, July 11^th from 1-3 p.m.at the Pennsauken Library located at 5605 Crescent Boulevard in Pennsauken for this fun, drive-through event (no bikes or walk-up, please).

Participants will place their cash donation in the bin (checks are also welcome) then drive through to receive their cold lemonade. Simple, easy, and a pretty cool (and refreshing) way to help our library and treat yourself in the bargain! We thank you in advance for your support. Finally, if you haven’t done so already, check out the pictures of the winners and their poems on our Friends of the Library Facebook page.

Short but sweet. We’ll be picking up more events toward the fall— so stay tuned.