Board Meetings / Board Members / Board Advisors
Board Meeting Minutes
Annual Reviews / Annual Goals
A Few Friends' Accomplishments
Friends History
Friends in the News
Sun Views Articles by Tom Everitt
Friends PowerPoint Presentations
Archived Articles
Board Members Only Portal
Board Meeting Minutes
Annual Reviews / Annual Goals
A Few Friends' Accomplishments
Friends History
Friends in the News
Sun Views Articles by Tom Everitt
Friends PowerPoint Presentations
Archived Articles
Board Members Only Portal
About Our Board Meetings
The Friends of the Sun City Libraries, Inc. meet monthly. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month, at 10:00am. June, July and August Board meetings are held on Zoom; all other monthly meetings are either on Zoom, or in the Meeting Room inside the Bell Center Library. All Board meetings are open to the public. Contact Sue Blechl if you wish to to included in the meeting, and to learn if it is on Zoom or in person in the Library.
Board Members
- President and Publicity Chair: Sue Blechl
- Vice President: (Vacancy)
- Treasurer and Financial Committee Chair: Jessica Potter Slider
- Secretary: Joyce Voss
- Community Outreach Committee: Sue Blechl (temp Chair)
- Board Development Committee: Sue Blechl (temp Chair)
- Director: Ruth Polansky / Volunteer Coordinator and Event/Activities Chair
- Director: Irene Nathanson / Homebound Committee Chair
- Director: Sherri Sharp
- Director: Tom Haugsby
Board Advisors
- Bookstore Manager - Cathy Weyers
- Recreation Centers of Sun City Representative: Chris Nettesheim
- Sun City Libraries Supervisor: Janelle Yoder
- Fairway Library Manager: Nande Marin
- Newsletter Editor - Tom Everitt
- Web and Records: Cindy Daly
Board Meeting Minutes
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2024
January 2024 - Meeting Cancelled February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 |
Please Note: Board Meeting Minutes for 2016 - 2022 have been archived and are available on request.
Annual Reports |
Annual Goals
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Jim Reay renames the Read to Me Program
The Friends of the Sun City Libraries recently announced the renaming of their volunteer program from “Read to Me” to “Share With Me.” (See photos on the 'Social Events' tab)
Jim Reay, a Sun City resident and current volunteer, submitted the winning name in a renaming contest held by the Friends. He was acknowledged and the new name was revealed at a recent Friends event. This event also marked the one-year anniversary of the original program since its reopening from the pandemic. Reay said he came up with the name during a presentation, which required more than reading aloud to the residents. “On my first visit to a memory care home it became apparent that communication with residents required more than reading,” he said. “I found that sharing personal experiences and practical information with the aid of maps, props, hats, and music creates a stronger relationship and produces more feedback.” Originally from Minnesota, Reay has lived in Arizona for some time and now resides in Sun City. Retired from human resources, he tutors youth and enjoys volunteering. He has traveled the world and served in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart. He continues to serve today by volunteering at the Woodmark and The Gardens of Sun City, both facilities which host the program.
The new name reflects a broader experience of interaction as volunteers deliver more than read-aloud benefits to the memory care residents they serve. “Referring to the program as ‘Share With Me’ will ease explanation and facilitate its promotion,” said Irene Nathanson, program chair. “It will also help to attract more suitable volunteers.
The reference to sharing implies broader, active interaction, which embodies all the senses. In addition, the name clarifies what really happens in a session as volunteers do more than read aloud. More accurately, rich, diverse productions are crafted by gifted presenters who incorporate music, poetry, pictures, props, and play games to stimulate meaningful engagement and recall.”
“We are thankful to all the dedicated volunteers who are sharing their time and talents with memory care residents and we are proud to sponsor this program which supplements memory care activities with ties to reading, learning and libraries,“ said Sue Blechl, president of the Friends. To learn more about the “Share With Me” program and the Friends organization, visitsuncitylibraryfriends.org.
Jim Reay, a Sun City resident and current volunteer, submitted the winning name in a renaming contest held by the Friends. He was acknowledged and the new name was revealed at a recent Friends event. This event also marked the one-year anniversary of the original program since its reopening from the pandemic. Reay said he came up with the name during a presentation, which required more than reading aloud to the residents. “On my first visit to a memory care home it became apparent that communication with residents required more than reading,” he said. “I found that sharing personal experiences and practical information with the aid of maps, props, hats, and music creates a stronger relationship and produces more feedback.” Originally from Minnesota, Reay has lived in Arizona for some time and now resides in Sun City. Retired from human resources, he tutors youth and enjoys volunteering. He has traveled the world and served in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart. He continues to serve today by volunteering at the Woodmark and The Gardens of Sun City, both facilities which host the program.
The new name reflects a broader experience of interaction as volunteers deliver more than read-aloud benefits to the memory care residents they serve. “Referring to the program as ‘Share With Me’ will ease explanation and facilitate its promotion,” said Irene Nathanson, program chair. “It will also help to attract more suitable volunteers.
The reference to sharing implies broader, active interaction, which embodies all the senses. In addition, the name clarifies what really happens in a session as volunteers do more than read aloud. More accurately, rich, diverse productions are crafted by gifted presenters who incorporate music, poetry, pictures, props, and play games to stimulate meaningful engagement and recall.”
“We are thankful to all the dedicated volunteers who are sharing their time and talents with memory care residents and we are proud to sponsor this program which supplements memory care activities with ties to reading, learning and libraries,“ said Sue Blechl, president of the Friends. To learn more about the “Share With Me” program and the Friends organization, visitsuncitylibraryfriends.org.
Memory Care Box Program Recognized
The Maricopa County Library District won a 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for the Memory Care Boxes, which were funded by the Friends of the Library. These annual awards are given to groundbreaking county government programs across the country.
The Memory Care Box is such a wonderful program, with a real and direct impact, so we are thrilled it was recognized! Each year, they highlight some of their favorite NACo Award-Winners, and we are excited that this year they have asked to do a video about the Memory Care Boxes!
The Memory Care Box is such a wonderful program, with a real and direct impact, so we are thrilled it was recognized! Each year, they highlight some of their favorite NACo Award-Winners, and we are excited that this year they have asked to do a video about the Memory Care Boxes!
AZ DEPT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS HONORS FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Each year, the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) celebrates the achievements and contributions of their employees and their partners. This year, the Friends of the Library of Sun City were selected to be recognized at the ADJC Employee Recognition and Awards Ceremony as an “Outstanding Community Partner.”
The ADJC Outstanding Community Partner Award recognizes an individual or group whose contributions promote the Department’s mission to provide the young people in their care with evidence-based rehabilitative services that enhance their well being and equip them with the skills and resources they need to thrive as successful members of society.
Cathy Weyers, the Books Around The Corner Bookstore manager explains, "For years the bookstore sent copies of books it could not use to the prison system of Maricopa County. A few years ago, the prisons could no longer take books because of their backlog. It came to our attention from one of our volunteers that the Adobe Mountain School in the Juvenile School System could use books for their school. We thought it was a worthwhile county project.
We send them paperback books that we cannot use. These books are at the reading level of third grade to high school. It also includes cookbooks since they have a culinary project. We send only books that we cannot sell and that would be appropriate to them. We also send them DVD’s that we have multiple copies of that are PG.
We are excited to be able to help educate these juveniles in the system and hope that even one of the items we send may make a difference in their lives and help them enter society in a positive way when they exit the system."
Dr. Angela Fischer was our nominator. The award was accepted on behalf of the Friends by Cathy Weyers, Mary Fischer-McKee, and Karen Brooks, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Game and Fish Department on W. Carefree Highway.
The ADJC Outstanding Community Partner Award recognizes an individual or group whose contributions promote the Department’s mission to provide the young people in their care with evidence-based rehabilitative services that enhance their well being and equip them with the skills and resources they need to thrive as successful members of society.
Cathy Weyers, the Books Around The Corner Bookstore manager explains, "For years the bookstore sent copies of books it could not use to the prison system of Maricopa County. A few years ago, the prisons could no longer take books because of their backlog. It came to our attention from one of our volunteers that the Adobe Mountain School in the Juvenile School System could use books for their school. We thought it was a worthwhile county project.
We send them paperback books that we cannot use. These books are at the reading level of third grade to high school. It also includes cookbooks since they have a culinary project. We send only books that we cannot sell and that would be appropriate to them. We also send them DVD’s that we have multiple copies of that are PG.
We are excited to be able to help educate these juveniles in the system and hope that even one of the items we send may make a difference in their lives and help them enter society in a positive way when they exit the system."
Dr. Angela Fischer was our nominator. The award was accepted on behalf of the Friends by Cathy Weyers, Mary Fischer-McKee, and Karen Brooks, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Game and Fish Department on W. Carefree Highway.
The Gardens Care Center Library gets a facelift!
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The Gardens Care Center participates in our
Read-To-Me program, and they recently asked us to help them reorganize their library. As part of this effort, they donated books they couldn't use to Books Around The Corner, and in exchange, we supplied them with large print books, easier to read for their residents. We are continuing to collect books to further stock their shelves. Here are the Before and After pictures.... |
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A Few of the Friends' Accomplishments / Contributions
Fairway Library board to expand visibility and promote the Friends Organization, reading, and the Bookstore at the Sun City Branch. Created by the PR committee... Ruth Polansky, Irene Nathanson and Joyce Voss.
The Friends financed a two way book Drop in 2019
The Gathering Place - Bell Branch Library
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Bell Branch Library Automated Check In Machine
The Friends financed extra furnishings for the KIDS section of the Sun City Library
The Friends finance all the SEED purchases for t he Seed Library (free to the public)
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The Friends coordinated and financed a great 10 Year Anniversary celebration for the Sun City Library
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New drinking fountain that accommodates bottles
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SUN CITY INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ARTICLE 11/22/2023
FOTSCL LIFESTYLE SENIOR EXPO 2023
On November 1, the Independent Newsmedia hosted the 2023 Lifestyle Senior Expo at the Sundial Recreation Center, from 9am-1pm. The Sun City Friends of the Library were on hand to share our knowledge and experiences about the Library and various Friends' activities. Manning the table were Jennie O'Leary, Sherri Sharp and Cindy Daly.
Sherri Sharp and Jennie O'Leary, both Board members, getting ready for the crowds.
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Jennie O'Leary and Cindy Daly
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As the morning wore on, the crowds got thicker and the volume of conversations got louder, along with the sounds of the great entertainment... good thing we had the Posse's table right across from us to keep things under control!
The Sun City Poms and musical groups performed throughout the day.
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History of the Friends:
Sun Views Articles by Tom Everitt
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2023
January 2023 February 2023 This will be the last article by Tom Everitt in the Sun Views for the Bookstore. That space will now be shared with the Library. |
Please Note: 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 copies of the Sun Views Articles have been archived and are available on request.
Friends In The News!
October 28, 2015 feature article on the Friends of the Sun City Libraries, Inc. (archived copy coming)
December 22, 2015 feature article on the Friends' Book Buddy program. (archived copy coming)
PowerPoint Presentations
