Friends Oppose Library-Rec Consolidation

Thank you to the many Friends who made phone calls, sent e-mails and attended the City Council hearing on June 28 to express their opposition to the proposed consolidation of the library with the recreation department. Many speakers at the Council meeting spoke about the importance of the library in their lives and urged the Council to maintain library services and abandon the consolidation plan. (Follow these links to read the UT-San Diego article on the June 19 Council vote and an article on the public hearing.)
Although the Council ultimately voted not to merge the two departments, because of its actions the previous week, the recreation director has left his post and library director Betty Waznis is now responsible for the operation of both departments. An assistant director will eventually be hired to handle some of the recreation functions, but Betty will have overall responsibility for three libraries, a museum, 54 parks, seven rec centers and over 200 employees.
Clearly, Betty and our library will need the support of the Friends in the coming months. Our role as volunteers, fund-raisers and public advocates is now more than important than ever. – Shauna Stokes, Executive Board President
(First posted in June 2012.)
Although the Council ultimately voted not to merge the two departments, because of its actions the previous week, the recreation director has left his post and library director Betty Waznis is now responsible for the operation of both departments. An assistant director will eventually be hired to handle some of the recreation functions, but Betty will have overall responsibility for three libraries, a museum, 54 parks, seven rec centers and over 200 employees.
Clearly, Betty and our library will need the support of the Friends in the coming months. Our role as volunteers, fund-raisers and public advocates is now more than important than ever. – Shauna Stokes, Executive Board President
(First posted in June 2012.)
Let the Reading Begin . . .
Photos courtesy of Jim McVeigh.
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Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox cut a ribbon of book jackets to officially open the Otay Ranch branch library on Saturday, April 14. Despite the blustery weather, about 2,000 residents turned out to tour the library near the Food Pavilion at the Otay Ranch Town Center.
Services include free wi-fi, a laptop bar and a "floating collection" of high-demand books. Staff and volunteers are providing twice-weekly story times and after-school homework sessions. Patrons may also request items from the South Chula Vista and Civic Center branches, with delivery in about a day. The 3,500-square-foot library is open five days a week: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (First posted in April 2012.) |
Foundation Donates $50K for New Branch

Library director Betty Waznis (center front) poses with members of the Chula Vista Library Foundation after the organization presented a check for $50,000 to the Chula Vista City Council on January 24. The contribution, which represents proceeds from the Foundation's "Bon Appetit" fundraiser and other projects, will be used to purchase books and equipment for the new Otay Ranch branch library.
(First posted in February 2012)
(First posted in February 2012)
Good Friends = Good Books
It may have been mid-January, but it felt like the holidays all over again at the Chula Vista Public Library, as staff unpacked the first shipment of books purchased with a recent $45,000 contribution from the Friends of the Chula Vista Library.
The Friends executive board launched a fund campaign in July, hoping to raise $10,000 to supplement the library's book budget, which has been hard hit by the City's financial woes. Thanks to the generosity of many Friends, and a major gift from the Altrusa Club of Chula Vista, that goal was achieved in less than two months - and the total now stands at almost $12,500. |
Friends executive board president Shauna Stokes (at left) presented the library with a check for $45,000 at the City Council meeting on October 25. That amount represents $10,000 from the Book Fund, plus donations of $12,500 from the Civic Center chapter, $5,000 from the South Chula Vista chapter, $7,500 from Online Books and a $10,000 grant from the Chula Vista Public Library Fund of the San Diego Foundation. The balance of the Book Fund will be presented at a later date.
The success of the 2011 Book Fund drive is proof that the Chula Vista community appreciates, and is willing to support, the library and its services. If you have not yet had an opportunity to donate, please join the growing list of individuals and organizations who have demonstrated that they believe in the power of books. Click here to learn more about the Book Fund, to donate and to track our progress. (First posted in January 2012.) |