Catfish Chronicle, Issue 9, Summer 2025
With the arrival of June, many Friends start thinking about downshifting, or get aways from East Falls visiting family or friends or going on vacation this summer! For times that you stay local, keep in mind that our Falls of Schuylkill library will be open on Saturdays this summer, so consider coming to a Fiber Arts Saturday Sit ‘n Stitch 10:30 am-12:30 pm third Saturdays of the month, or to a lively Board Game Cafe 2:00-4:00 pm June 21, July 19 and August 16 where there are also tables set up for playing, or learning Mahjong Chinese style. FSL is also running an Introduction to Digital Photography Workshop 1:00 pm Saturday, June 7. And for children entering grades 2-6, Children’s librarian Grace Foster will be hosting an informal, hands-on Science in the Summer program. And these are only some of the Saturday programs, FSL offers a robust schedule throughout the week. For the most current info on Library programs and events, your best bet is to go to the Falls Library website or Facebook page, the Friends of FSL website, or call our Library at 215.685.2093.
While June brings daydreams of downshifting and vacationing, June is also a busy month for our Advocacy committee chaired by Neha Pancholi. For those who might not know, June is a good month to reach out to elected officials with a particular focus on keeping City Council members reminded of the importance of funding for the FLP in the budgetary process taking place in June – advocating that all branches are staffed for Saturday hours, facilities are properly maintained, and programming is financially supported. Kelly Richards, the President and CEO of the Free Library of Philadelphia, presented to City Council on April 16 on the importance of having our libraries open and fully staffed 6 days a week. But that drum beat needs to continue through June as the city finalizes its budget.
At a recent Board Meeting on May 6, Book Sale co-chairs Beth Hymel and Ann Wiley and Hospitality team of Mary Jean Cunningham and Marie Filipponi announced that the Spring Book and Bake Sale took in more than $5,100. Kudos to our Book and Bake Sale teams for running another successful fundraiser! And thanks also to the book dealers, book buyers, bakers and the many volunteers who organized, sorted, and cashiered At the Book Sale – it truly takes a village! Some comings and goings in this village are that Ann Wiley announced that she decided to not continue as Book Sale co-chair as she wants to concentrate on her role as Treasurer and not take on the additional role with the Book Sale. Ann and Beth recommended Friend and neighbor, Emily Bongiorno, as new co-chair for the Book Sale Committee. And so I am pleased to welcome Emily on board.
While the Book and Bake Sale is over, last month we raised $108 from the Book Cart or year-round book shelves maintained by Martha Fuller. Just to remind you, although we love our Book Sales, you don’t need to wait for the next sale to purchase any books where your donations go 100% to supporting FSL. These shelves are to your right as you come through the main door of the library. There you can browse and buy books across all genres.
In April, as a way to celebrate National Library Week, the Friends purchased 60 copies of Arlo Draws an Octopus. The book which is the Pennsylvania Department of Education pick for PA One Book Selection for 2025 is described as “an empowering picture book about creativity, making mistakes, and changing your perspective.” On May 14, the Friends partnered with Mifflin Elementary to “Give a Book to Every First Grader.” Children’s Librarian, Grace Foster visited the first grade classrooms, read the book to the first-graders, and gave every first-grader a copy of the book. Two copies were also donated to Mifflin’s library, and two copies retained for FSL’s book shelves. The event was a success, and we look forward to making this an annual event.
While I hope that this summer many are drawn to the library to participate in any number of programs and activities, do check out books as library budgets are based on circulation numbers! Also, take time to smell the flowers outside as our lovely Midvale garden is in bloom. Thanks to Garden co-chairs Nancy Pontone and Andrea Sunderland and their volunteers for keeping it clean and beautiful. Take a stroll; stop and enjoy.
In closing, I want to remind you that June is Friends Membership Renewal time. Jen Ainslie, Membership Chair will be working on getting out her renewal reminders (renewal forms are also online eastfallslibraryfriends.org).
Have a wonderful summer – here hoping that your “to be read” book stack is as tall as mine with book purchases from our most recent book sale or library check outs in preparation for attending one of the library’s wonderful book clubs (or one of many neighborhood-based book clubs) over the course of the summer! And if you are not sure what to read, stop by the library and talk to any library staff about what they are reading, or pick up a copy of Book Page which highlights the best new books across all genres (copies on your left as you enter the front entrance to the library). Happy reading, Friends!
Warmly,
Jenna Musket
President Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library