Peninsula Friends of the Library

In November, at the annual meeting of the California Library Association (CLA), Palos Verdes Library Director Kathy Gould was awarded the CLA’s Member of the Year Award. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and achievements in service to California Libraries.The Palos Verdes Library District Board of Trustees nominated Director Gould for the award. The nomination stated that Director Gould’s “strategic leadership has led to expanded library outreach and to organizational improvements at the community, regional and state levels.”

Working with the Library staff, Director Gould has expanded programs and services at the three Peninsula libraries. She has overseen renovations at Malaga Cove and Miraleste Libraries, and technology has been updated at all three facilities.

Director Gould has spearheaded collaborations with the school district and the Art Center, and worked with Freedom4U to create and operate the Annex, a youth-centered library extension.

Extending her community outreach, Director Gould has worked with the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce and is currently president of the Chamber board.

This is how the CLA described Director Gould in their newsletter.

Kathy Gould is dedicated to the California library community and she promotes libraries and librarianship by action and example. Her strategic leadership has led to expanded library outreach and to organizational improvements at the community, regional and state levels.

As director of the Palos Verdes Library District, Kathy empowers staff and provides opportunities for leadership, training and staff involvement in decision-making. She has positioned the library as a key community resource and partner: art shows, a business center, ethnic celebrations, a foreign film series, a teen press club – all have been accomplished though collaboration with local community groups. Extending her community outreach, Kathy has served on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for five years and is currently its president.

Kathy is a tireless advocate for the library community. She has served on the CLA Advocacy and Legislation Committee, she participates in annual CLA Legislative Day activities, and advocates for California libraries at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C.

Kathy is also dedicated to growing future generations of California library leaders. She has served as mentor for the Eureka! Leadership Institute for three difference cohorts, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and she provides one on one mentoring to individuals in the library community.

Congratulations, Kathy. We are so fortunate to have you as our Library Director.

All book lovers, are you prepared to smile? Check out this video:

The Peninsula Friends of the Library (PFL) will sponsor a free planned giving seminar on January 21, 2012, 2 p.m., Malaga Cove Library Community Room, 2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates.

Edward W. Long of Serious Givers will speak about “Seven Smart and Easy Ways to Leave Gifts to Charity,” and moderate a question and answer period on extending personal legacy through estate gifts to charities of the donors choice. Several helpful handouts will be provided for participants.

Seating for this seminar is limited, so reservations are suggested.

For further information contact Judy Hessick, PFL Director of Development at (310) 377-5484 ext. 251 or e-mail Friends Director Judy Hessick at jhessick@pvldfriends.org

If you are looking for unique gifts, be sure to visit the Peninsula Friends of the Library Shop at the Peninsula Center Library–and best of all, there is a big sale going on. When you enter the Peninsula Center Library, 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA., at the main entrance, you’ll find the gift shop to your right as you enter the collection.

Not only are there dozens of new gifts, many gently used items donated by library patrons are available for purchase at bargain prices as well. And remember, with your Peninsula Friends of the Library membership card, you receive a 10% discount on purchases of $5.00 or more.

Here are a few photos to whet your appetite. If you double click, they will enlarge for better viewing.

The Shop also sells gently used hard backs and many books by local authors. And remember, the Shop also encourages the donation of used items that customers can purchase at bargain prices. All profits benefit the Peninsula Friends of the Library’s support to the District.

Shop hours are:

Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For further information, call the Library Shop at (310) 377-9584, ext. 241.

With the Peninsula Friends of the Library as publisher and benefactor, the first book ever written under the auspices of the Palos Verdes Library District debuted on Thursday, Dec. 8, and is available for purchase now at all three Palos Verdes Library’s branches at the circulation desks as well as the Library Shop at Peninsula Center Library.

“Peninsula Past: The Complicated Birth of Paradise” contains 31 essays focusing on the early life of Palos Verdes Estates and other Peninsula developments. The essays, written by PVLD’s Local History Room docent Betty Lukas, first appeared in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News over a five-year period to familiarize residents with the extensive collection of photographic and written resources available to the public in the Local History Room. Marjeanne Blinn, Adult Services and Local History Room librarian, served as editor.

If you purchase nine of fewer copies of “Peninsula Past” the price is $10 each. But, if you purchase  10 or more books the price discounts to $8 per copy and a case of 120 books  or more discounts to $6 per copy. The Peninsula Past Friends Committee will hopefully be featured in more locations soon, but we’ll keep you posted.

If you would like to read about how the book was researched, written and edited, click Friends Publish Historical Peninsula Past book.

The Peninsula Center Library is located at 701 Silver Spur Road Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274. If you would like further information about “Peninsula Past” call (310) 377-9584, ext. 213.