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The Ferndale Public Library is beginning another round of strategic planning and they want /us/ to help.  There are two different ways to get involved (and everybody’s free to do both):

1. Fill out a survey.  It does not take long and asks good questions that allow us to compare the performance of the library to past years.  You can fill out out in the library or here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K8WY8GZ
2. Come to one of the planning sessions:

• Session 1: 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, May 19.  Focus on reviewing results of the library patron survey (see www.ferndalepubliclibrary.org, assessing the library’s strengths and weaknesses, discussing the community’s priorities for the library and brainstorming key elements of the library’s mission and vision.
• Session 2: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursday, May 31, focuses on brainstorming goals for the library over the next 3-5 years, based on the results of the first community session. Those in attendance will also discuss and prioritize the results of the community brainstorm.

All meetings will occur in the library’s community room at 222 E Nine Mile Rd in Ferndale.  Please consider attending!

Ferndale Public Library to hold special strategic planning sessions

Contact: Jim O’Donnell
FPL Board President
248-545-4421
jimod.ferndale@gmail.com

May 11, 2012 – Ferndale:

The Ferndale Public Library is hosting two community sessions to shape the future of the library. Library board president Jim O’Donnell invited the community to attend, “We encourage everyone in the community to come and share their views, hopes and vision for the library.”  Residents, citizens, business owners, community group leaders, elected officials and friends of the library from Ferndale and neighboring communities should plan to attend.

The first session, scheduled from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, May 19, will focus on reviewing results of the library patron survey (see www.ferndalepubliclibrary.org for more information), assessing the library’s strengths and weaknesses, discussing the community’s priorities for the library and brainstorming key elements of the library’s mission and vision.

The second session, scheduled from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursday, May 31, focuses on brainstorming goals for the library over the next 3-5 years, based on the results of the first community session. Those in attendance will also discuss and prioritize the results of the community brainstorm.

Following both meetings, the library board will hold a open board retreat to finalize the goals. From there, staff will produce a working strategic plan. The library board and community will be able to follow the execution of the strategic plan through documents shared at the library and on the FPL’s website.

All meetings will occur in the library’s community room at 222 E Nine Mile Rd in Ferndale.

Thanks to all who came to our board meeting and volunteer/staff appreciation.  Here are the minutes of our last two meetings:

Friends of the Ferndale Library general meeting, April 9, 2012

Ferndale Public Library multipurpose room, Ferndale, MI

Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Kevin Deegan-Krause.

12 people present; all introduced themselves.

Committee Reports:

Bookstore

Collection: Back needs classifications and organization; wanted to pick a day for that. We will work on display of African-American and GLBT collections in the bookstore.  Kevin Deegan-Krause will Doodle Poll members for dates for a work party for sorting books.

Staffing: No ongoing concerns, staff doing great.

Public Relations:

Day of Books & Roses is April 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Everyone who comes to the event is to get a rose and a used book. The event is also to include paella, bikini sandwiches, and wine tasting, along with author readings. Postcards out, posters printed. Press release has been written and a dragon media alert has been done (about the dragon in Pleasant Ridge April 20 at twilight). Will know Wednesday if they need volunteers. Tickets already made and were passed out to those present to advance sell if they want to.

Events:

Appreciation Reception for volunteers and staff immediately after this meeting.

Eurovision Song Contest: May 26 @ 7 p.m. Interest in hosting event? Could charge $5 admission, or do it at Kevin Deegan-Krause’s house (started as a Deegan-Krause family event). Would be a Friends fundraiser.

Programs:

Ferndale Reads: Darlene. Author was great. Had some leftover books; didn’t make them as available in past; donated some leftovers to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Will do event again next year. May do fewer events next year. Go Comedy a winner; would do that again along with Book Club discussions. Mentioned having Ferndale Blast to go with Blues Fest in wintertime.

Neighborhood Professor: Darlene has taken over from Kevin Deegan-Krause for next few months. Attendance has fizzled; may not do it in summer months and do it again in fall. Also do more of a PR effort for it in fall. (This Wednesday, Nancy Shockley from OCC and the 70^th anniversary of the Pacific war.)

Green series for the fall: Thoughts and ideas? Contacts with Veg Michigan.

Two book clubs, Neighborhood Professor, other irregular events sponsored by Friends. May take summer off to get our bearings.

Costume Swap in Sept-Oct. for used Halloween costumes … also DIY book sale.

Membership: 
42 members. Still want to do Book Bucks bookstore discount coupons w/Kevin Y.  Will use Books & Roses to recruit. Pay dues once a year; have paid membership list. Motion for calendar year membership through 2012 by Cassie, seconded by Kelly. Motion passed.

Additional membership recruitment: At B&R and Dragon events and throughout the year.

Elections and leadership:

Think about re-upping in June. Presidency will be vacant (Kevin Deegan-Krause is running for the Ferndale school board). If interested, keep it in mind.

Friends of Michigan Libraries Workshop April 20 about Making Your Friends Group a Better Group in Okemos. Friends will sponsor someone to go.

Mission-Based Books: Works with Friends groups. May want to work with them in future.

The library is undergoing a strategic planning process; Friends will also be invited to participate in that process.

Finances:

Kelly. Have raised almost $10,000 and have current balance of $9,000.

Ed Burns: Requested $350 in funds for adult summer reading programs and “Movieful Feast” movie program. Motion made by Kelly; motion amended by Kevin Deegan-Krause to give Ed $400. Amended motion approved. Kevin Deegan-Krause: In future, the Friends should commit 80 percent of Friends revenues to library each year for the library’s needs.

Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne Scharich, secretary

Friends of the Ferndale Library

Friends of the Ferndale Library board meeting, February 10, 2012

Discussed bookstore concerns and receipts. Will prepare a sheet for volunteers about bookstore procedures and job descriptions. Will also consult with Kevin Deegan-Krause about graphics.

Also will reserve items that are valuable to an “Amazon-eBay” shelf/sale.

Public Relations: Committee of three which will meet over the next three weeks.

Social media, newsletter to be included in PR efforts. Books and Roses and Ferndale Reads next big events. Also Celebrate the Library staff party in April.

Events:

Prom update: Went well; people had a great time. Made over $2,000.00 for teen programming. Mtion to donate $2,000 to teen programs from prom proceeds passed.

Books & Roses: Meeting Sunday at 1 p.m. at Eli’s to confirm April date for event. Then get liquor license and make other plans for event (bonds for liquor, etc.).

Staff Party: During National Library Week, a director and staff appreciation party April 9 (also mass membership meeting that night). Serve refreshments, have a few words from the director …. Membership meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m., party 7:30 p.m. (Need quorum of members for membership meeting.) Kevin will work with Beth to plan meeting.

Programs:

Neighborhood Professor: First Wednesday of month, upward trend in turnout.

Science Fiction Book Club: 6-7 members at present.

Looking for ideas; contact Joanne for information.

One idea for future programming: Environmental programming; which we probably need to do for keeping our LEED certification. Do have Green Tuesdays and had Transition Ferndale meetings.

Membership:

Emailed non-renewing members: Now at about 35 members. Would like to get it to about 50-60 members.
Proposed discounts for members; early admission or VIP status at Friends events.

Finance:

Friends treasurer’s report presented by Kelly:
Current balance of $11,524.72 (before $2,000 donation).

New Business:

Darlene: Asked for one more volunteer for March 29 author visit, and to come to Ferndale Reads 2012 events as much as possible.

March 31: Pat Lynn’s retirement party from 1-3 in library.

Action items:

Cassie and June: bookstore procedures and management

Jenny: Ferndale Reads promotion.

Kevin: Staff reception.

Cassie: Recruitment of membership. (also online renewals)

It’s Library Week.  Join us to celebrate!

The Friends of the Ferndale Library will be having a membership meeting on Monday, April 9th at 6:30PM at the library. We will be discussing upcoming events (like A Day of Books and Roses happening on April 22nd!), the bookstore, board nominations, and future meeting times. Come with your ideas and feedback!

Immediately following at 7:30PM, we will be celebrating the library staff and bookstore staff with a reception.  Ice cream sundaes and sweets will be served.

Hope to see you there!

Library Board Vice President sends this invitation.  If you are interested, please respond to ferndalefriends.org@gmail.com

Hi Friends,

As you may have seen on the FFL Facebook page, the FPL board has established an art and exhibitions committee, for which I am chairperson.

I need to recruit one or two members of the FFL to serve on this committee.  Would you please ask the Friends if any of them would be willing to work with us on this committee.

Thanks,

Pat

Patrick Dengate
436 W. Maplehurst St.
Ferndale, MI 48220-1206

Fourth in our monthly series of local experts talking about interesting stuff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 7pm-8pm, Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale,MI

Convicting the Innocent

In the last few years research has identified at least 900 official exonerations of people who were convicted of felonies, although they had nothing to do with the crimes. In some cases no crime was every committed. Researchers believe that many more miscarriages of justice occur. A good deal of work has uncovered reasons why this happens. It is often the result of mistaken eyewitness identification, but a dozen other factors are involved. About 50 innocence projects now work to exonerated falsely convicted people and many states and police departments are taking steps to make criminal investigations more accurate.

Professor Marv Zalman, teaches classes on constitutional law (criminal procedure), criminal justice policy and wrongful conviction. Most of his research and writing in recent years has been focused on the topic of wrongful convictions.  He has authored a textbook, Criminal Procedure: Constitution and Society, Sixth Edition (Prentice Hall, 2011) in addition to numerous research articles, chapters, and encyclopedia articles on wrongful conviction.

The Ferndale Science Fiction Book Club will meet again on February 14 at the Ferndale library (222 E. Nine Mile) at 7pm.

Third in our monthly series of local experts talking about interesting stuff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 7pm-8pm, Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale,MI

Wrongful Conviction in the American Justice System

Just passing on a note from our fabulous children’s librarian Jillean McCommons

Hello,
I would like to get the word out about our new Facebook page for kids. It’s a great place to find out about upcoming programs, performers, new books and other helpful information. If you could pass it along to friends that would be great. Please, like us!

http://www.facebook.com/ferndalekidshttp://www.facebook.com/ferndalekids

Thanks so much,
Jillean

Third in our monthly series of local experts talking about interesting stuff
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 7pm-8pm, Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile, Ferndale,MI

The Virtues and Vices of Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories are quite prominent in current American life.  Often the use of “conspiracy theory” is derogatory in nature, allowing a rejection of the proffered theory out of hand.  However, I believe conspiracy theories can be useful tools for thinking about the nature of reasoning and explanation.  This presentation will look at some of the recent academic and popular literature on conspiracy theories in order to explore reasoning, explanation, and other topics of philosophical interest.

Mark Huston is currently an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Schoolcraft College located in Livonia, MI.  His philosophical interests are in the areas of mind, epistemology, aesthetics, and film.  He has published in the journals Ratio, The Journal of Philosophical Research and Film and Philosophy.  He has also published book reviews in the magazine Philosophy Now.  Additionally he has essays in the book Tennis and Philosophy: What the Racket is All About and in Golf and Philosophy: Lessons From the Links.

Ferndale’s renovated library has recently been the subject of a significant amount of public attention, particularly from organizations that have praised its energy efficiency.  

Two of the best recent articles are here:

Beautiful photographs of the library are among the highlights of a feature spread in DTE Energy’s “Energy Smarts of Michigan” Winter 2011 edition which can be found online here: http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/productsPrograms/electric/energySmartsMagazine.html

A short version containing just the Ferndale article can be found here: Ferndale Public Library 2011

At the same time, GreeningDetroit.com has published a nice piece on the recent tour of the library hosted for the local chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC): http://www.greeningdetroit.com/2011/12/05/ferndale-public-library-re-defines-public-place/

Our Neighborhood Professor series continues into its second month with a discussion by Wayne State University professor of law and political science Brad R. Roth at 7pm on Wednesday, December 7th.

Professor Roth will be speaking on Pearl Harbor and its Lasting Effects. This presentation will focus on the daunting questions about the role of law in bridling the exercise of power, both at home and abroad, in the service of national security. Legal precedents from that conflict continue to haunt U.S. constitutional jurisprudence. 

You can find more about Prof. Roth in a recent profile by Ferndale115.com here: http://ferndale115.com/nuevo/2011/11/18/professor-roth-to-talk-about-pearl-harbor-and-effects-on-american-law-on-dec-7-at-library/.  If you have any questions, please contact us at ferndalefriends.org@gmail.com

Spooktacular, 6:30 to 8pm, Friday, October 28.

A note from our fabulous children’s librarian, Jillean McCommons, asking for volunteers for Friday.  Please contact her at jilleanmc[at]gmail[dot]com, call 248-546-2504 or visit the Children’s Desk at the library

Hello,

I’m sending out another friendly (pun intended) call for volunteers for our Halloween Spooktacular happening this Friday, October 28 from 6:30-8.

We also need people to help with decorating from 5:30-6:30 and lots of hands to hand out candy from 6:30 on.  Costumes are welcome.

Thanks in advance for sending this out and for your continued support!

Jillean

Congratulations to Mollie Clarahan who won the manicure from Tantra.

And Nan Kerr-Mueller who won the up-do from Flip

For everybody else, there is one more chance to win.  This time the prize is a makeup application from Rouge.  But you can only win if you buy tickets by midnight Wednesday, October 12.

Remember, prom will be Saturday night at 8pm.  Hundreds of people will be there having fun.  You should be one of them!

Buy your tickets by midnight tonight (Friday the 7th) and you’re eligible to win a manicure from Tantra Spa.

Everybody’s doing it.

• http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2011/10/05/news/doc4e8ceaebea3f9161850529.txt
• http://www.candgnews.com/event/adult-prom-fundraiser

Sure you’re coming to the Friends of the Ferndale Library’s 80′s Prom, but why not come in style.  Buy your prom tickets by midnight October 8th and win a free manicure from Tantra Spa, 23059 Woodward Ave.  For every ticket you buy gives you a chance to win, and those who do not win will be eligible for later drawings for prom-prizes from Rouge and Flip.

• When: October 15, 8pm to midnight
• Where: The Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile
• Why: Fun, fun, fun, and proceeds to the library’s teen books and teen services
• How much: $20 per person if you pre-order, $30 at the door.  $5 discount per person for Friends of the Library Members.  Please order below through pay-pal.

The moment you have all been waiting for.  The chance to relive your prom–as an adult–and to contribute to the library’s programs for the teens of today (who will some day host their own retro-prom reliving the 2010′s).

On October 15, 2011 the Friends of the Ferndale Library will host an 80′s prom complete with era-appropriate music, dancing, decorations, snacks and drinks including our signature Depeche Mojito and Pacman Punch (pre-spiked).

• When: October 15, 8pm to midnight
• Where: The Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile
• Why: Fun, fun, fun, and proceeds to the library’s teen books and teen services
• How much: $20 per person if you pre-order, $30 at the door.  $5 discount per person for Friends of the Library Members.  Please order below through pay-pal.

The Friends have saved up their best sale books for this week’s DIY Street Fair.  Find us in the library courtyard on Saturday between 10am and 4pm for great deals on great books.  And while you’re at it, sign up for a ticket for our Prom!!!