2011 was busy year for our Library and our Friends, as more and people need and use our branch.  We hope that you will help us continue to support library programs and, if you can, renew your membership donation.

The Friends of Deltona Library are a group of volunteers – some retired and some still working – who raise money for library needs. We also logged over 4000 volunteer hours last year working in the book store, doing programs, and fundraising events.

As promised, last year’s membership dollars funded an expanded summer reading program that doubled the previous year’s attendance.  The framework of All It Takes Is You is currently used at the Just for Babies program.  Starting in February, we hope to have an evening series aimed at  parents and their babies.  This program, too, will cultivate literacy skills.

Two more big purchases  were s a sound system for the auditorium and nine laptop computers. The demand for computers has skyrocketed as more companies mandate on-line employment applications (even McDonalds!) The new computers will let other meeting rooms be used for these job seekers and also for smaller, more individualized training classes.

You will receive a membership application in the mail if you have donated before. You can also join quickly and safely by clicking the “Donate” button in the upper right hand corner.  You may also pick up an application at the library.

Return your membership application by February 10 and you will be entered into the drawing for a Valentine Book Basket on display at the front desk.  We’d also like to invite you to our annual board meeting on Thursday, March 8  at 10:00 in the Library.

Donna Joyner, VP Membership

The happy winners of last year’s basket along with Friends of Deltona Library member, Dennis Jefferson.

CUT YOUR OWN CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE
AT LYONIA PRESERVE

 Enjoy a green Christmas this year by cutting your own tree at Lyonia Preserve in Deltona.

Residents can select their favorite sand pines from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11. Bring your own saw and park along the entrance to Deltona Lakes Elementary School, 2022 Adelia Blvd.

While they are not traditional Christmas trees, sand pines are popular among Floridians.

These native trees have been likened to Charlie Brown Christmas trees because they’re sparse and sometimes lopsided. Two or three can be tied together to make a fuller tree, and many people decorate them and leave them outside for wildlife. Most of the trees are 4 – 5 feet tall, but they can grow up to 20 feet.

Lyonia Preserve, adjacent to the Deltona Regional Library at 2150 Eustace Ave., is a 360-acre scrub habitat that has three nature trails. Staff and volunteers routinely remove overgrown sand pines to create bare sand areas with low-growing vegetation preferred by the Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises that live at Lyonia Preserve.

Donations are requested, and proceeds will be used by the Friends of the Library to purchase Florida habitat books for the Deltona Regional Library.

For more information, please call Bonnie Cary, environmental specialist for Volusia County, at 386-804-0437.

Seasonal Books

VHS, novels, magazines, recipes, decorating

Local crafters unique and one-of-a-kind products

Bargain Books $3 a bag

The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of Deltona Library who will not be held responsible for impulse buying. So, if you feel that you cannot be trusted to resist the temptation to buy that book or beautiful handmade item you never realized you needed (or even existed), don’t — repeat don’t! – come to the Holiday Fair.

For further information, contact Friends of Deltona Library at 386-574-9376.

Fifty authors were on hand to talk about their books and sell autographed copies.  Another 25 had their books represented even though they were not personally able to attend.  30 authors and friends attended the pre-event get together at Ruby Tuesday for food, drinks and networking.

There are many people to thank: TD Bank, Infinity Insurance and Mel Himes Insurance for their corporate sponsorship, Ruby Tuesday and Office Depot for in-kind assistance. Ghofrani Graphics for the beautiful poster. Total Image Signs & Graphics for the banner, the City of Deltona and County of Volusia for publicity and general know-how.  Publix and Wal-Mart offered in-kind donations through their stores. The planning committee consisted of Melinda Clayton, Sherri Monroe, Ruth Garcia-Marmolejos, Larry French, Robin French and Christy Jefferson.

Ten event volunteers were there to greet customers and provide assistance whenever needed. We couldn’t do an event without so many willing hands and partners.

We are always grateful for the assistance of Regional Librarian Suzan Howes and her great staff and to the Lyonia Environmental Learning Center for the loan of their classrooms.  Our web master, Michael Kiepert, puts the application on our web site and that expedites the registration process.

Prior to the general session are two workshops at 8:45 and 9:45 geared to the interests of writers and budding authors:

8:45 am           7 Steps for a Wildly Successful Book Tour  presented by  Liz Coursen,  Sarasota      author of “The Complete Biography Workbook” who will just have completed  an 81-event book tour.

9:45 am           Pamela Starr, Regional Development Director for Constant Contact will be conducting a social media workshop entitled: How (and why) to incorporate social media into your marketing strategy.

These workshops are open to the public and are $10 each or 2/$15 payable at the door.

Special thanks to new corporate sponsors TD Bank, Infinity Insurance and Office Depot. Also returning this year is the popular meet and green hosted by Ruby Tuesday to which all authors and sponsors are invited.

The Deltona Regional Library’s second Authors Book Fair will take place Oct. 15, 2011, in the library at 2150 Eustace Ave, Deltona 32725.  The doors open to the general public from 11:00 to 3:00.

Prior to the general session are two workshops at 8:45 and 9:45 geared to the interests of authors:

8:45 am           7 Steps for a Wildly Successful Book Tour  presented by  Liz Coursen,  Sarasota      author of “The Complete Biography Workbook” who will just have completed  an 81-event book tour.

9:45 am           Pamela Starr, Regional Development Director for Constant Contact will be conducting a social media workshop entitled: How (and why) to incorporate social media into your marketing strategy.

These workshops are open to the public and are $10 each or 2/$15 payable at the door.

Special thanks to new corporate sponsors TD Bank, Infinity Insurance and Office Depot. Also returning this year is the popular pre-event hosted by Ruby Tuesday to which all authors and sponsors are invited.

Saturday, Nov 19,  11:00 – 4:00

Deltona Regional Library Auditorium

Crafters welcome. Table is $25.

Applications at Library.

Please consider donating gently-used holiday knick knacks for the sale.