Jennifer Giltrop, FVRL Executive Director, will meet with Cascade Park Friends, February 20th 6:00 p.m.

Two time-sensitive topics she will address at our monthly meeting are: 

Levy Lift Resolution - At the January 21, 2025 meeting, the FVRL Board of Trustees approved Levy Lift FVRL District Resolution 2025-01 and decided on its election date, August 5, 2025. This is the first request for a levy lift in 14 years and is needed to continue providing the current level of library services. It would restore the regular property tax levy to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

An intense period of preparation and dissemination of information to the voters can be expected from May through July.

FVRL’s 75th Anniversary - Special anniversary programs throughout the year will highlight the library system's past, future and its commitment to life-long learning and building community. These celebrations also offer an opportunity to build support and raise voter awareness.

Please join us at our February Monthly Meeting and find out how Friends can help with both the levy lift election and anniversary programs. Questions and ideas are most welcome.

Click on the RSVP below so we may be prepared with seating for you. Thank you!

FYI - More information about the Levy Lift may be found in the FVRL Board of Trustees  January 21, 2025 meeting materials. Go to pages p.6-8 for Agenda Item #8 - Levy Lid Lift presentation by Jennifer Giltrop; p.95-98 for the Proposed Levy Lift and p.99-101 for FVRL District Resolution 2025-01 as adopted by the Trustees.

NEED SEEDS - "Planting a seed: FVRLibraries and Vancouver Bee Project seed libraries growing in popularity" - this recent article in The Columbian reports the enthusiasm for the Seed Lending Libraries. 

Here's the local angle - Our Seed Library, a 12 drawer card catalog, sits immediately to your right as you enter the Library.

All the drawers are empty. 

This is a call for seeds - donations of store-bought packets or any you can spare from seeds you've harvested would be gratefully accepted. Bring your seeds to the Librarian at the Front Desk.

Donated seeds will be sorted, labeled and repackaged into small packets before being placed in the Seed Library Catalog drawers. The aim is to keep the drawers filled for planting season. Thank you!

If you are interested in learning more about seeds, check the calendar in July/August for Seed Drying workshops. See also Seed Lending Library on the Library's website.

NEED HELP - We are forming an email list of Friends of CPC Library who may be contacted, sometimes on short notice, when help is needed.

Friends are most visible as volunteers at the Friends Bookstore - sorting donations and shelving books. Less visible are Friends who help at Library programs and events assisting Library staff or do behind-the-scenes tasks.

For example, the Library staff requested the Friends for help at the Tech Petting Zoo on Friday, January 31, from 4:30 to 5:30. One volunteer helped direct people to various activities and kept track of the number of participants. The other facilitated the Lego activities table.

More fun than work, more energizing than fatiguing, appreciate an occasional change of pace while being appreciated.

Let us know if you'd like to be included on the Volunteers Email List:

We will explain the required FVRL procedures to be a volunteer and answer any questions. Hope to hear from you. Thank you!

The Bookstore's cash box intake for December was eye-popping.

THANK YOU to the generous anonymous donors.

There's something for everyone. Here's a sampling of programs over the next two months. Don't forget and don't miss out - mark your calendars NOW!

Jan-Feb 2025 - Exhibit: Acrylic Art on Recycled Materials

Feb 3 2025 - Monday - 6:30 to 7:30 - Herbs for Pets

Feb 15 2025 - Saturday - 2:00 to 3:00 - Make Your Own Sourdough Starter

Feb 24 2025 - Monday - 10:00 to 3:00 - Red Cross Blood Drive

Mar 4 2025 - Tuesday - 5:30 to 7:30 - Seed to Supper: Beginner Gardening on a Budget

Mar 8 2025 - Saturday - 1:00 to 2:00 - Irish Dancers Performance and Presentation

Mar 10 2025 - Monday - 10:30 to 11:30 - History of Women's Clubs and the Public Library

Mar 22 2025 - Saturday - 2:00 to 3:00 - Master Gardener Series: Build Your Own Downspout Water Garden

Mar 29 2025 - Saturday - 2:00 to 4:00 - Conscious Consumption Series: Clothing Swap

Check the CPCL online calendar for a full listing.