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Things for the Friends are going quite well, considering. This message to you all will be a mixed bag of what was good, what’s changed, and what’s coming.
First off, we-the Friends Board-want to thank every-members and general patrons alike-for their generous response to our petition campaign to “Save Our Library”- asking City Council not to cut the Library budget so drastically. It’s difficult to tell how successful the effort was since City budget affairs appear muddy at best. We hope we’ve had some effect. But the response during the 2 weeks we manned a petition table in the lobby, was wonderful. Board members and volunteers put in 2 & 3 hours stints getting signatures and explaining the situation and in the process had a great time interacting with our patrons.
Changes. One of our longtime librarians, Alan Hochberg, has recently retired and will be greatly missed. Alan came to us from Sherman Oaks soon after our new building opened in 2001. He leaves a big void, both in his presence and also in our complement of librarians. We will now have only four instead of five. This is due to previous Library budget cuts in staffing.
Another change for all of us is the shortening of branch hours-closing at 6pm on Monday and Wednesday and opening later on Fridays. For the Friends this means our Speaker Series will have to move to Tuesday or Thursday evenings. For our library staff it means working harder to serve you in a shorter space of time.
Some changes for the Friends include the resignation of our Speaker Series Chairman, Fiona Manning. She will be missed. Taking over for her is a troika of ladies-Gaye Richards, Jeanne Gervin and Joanne Small. They are working to keep this program going. Stay tuned for news of our future speakers.
Finally, what’s good and/or hasn’t changed. The annual Christmas dinner we host for the library staff, GAB readers, volunteer and Board members was the usual success-a lovely get-together. More recently, our annual Edible Book Tea was well-attended and great fun, and delicious!
Now for what’s coming. Answer-we really don’t know. Our valiant library staff and the Friends will just have to wait and adjust to the changes we can’t control. What will not change is what the Friends members can do for our Branch. The city budget may cut money, staff and hours, but the Friends will always work to give generously to our Branch for books, DVDs, supplies, programs, whatever is needed. With support from all of you for our great book Sales and the donations that make them possible, Studio City Friends can always be there for our library. Thank you to all our Friends.

Enjoy our Library, booksales, special events and keep those wonderful book donations coming!

Finally, we value our members' support and hope it will continue. One way you can help is to serve on our Board; there are several openings. Being part of the decision making process is fun and rewarding. Leave your name at the reference desk and join the next board meeting on the first Saturday of the month at 10 A.M. in the Library meeting room.