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Welcome, Friends of the San Antonio Public Library (FOSAPL)
Here, you can get updates, share information and read our newsletter, SAPLings, online with color photos and extra content.
OUR Mission Statement
The mission of the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library is to support the San Antonio Public Library through fundraising, advocacy, and community involvement.
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News & Events
FOSAPL Calendar & Book SalesNov. 10 McCreless Friends meeting, 6. Nov. 14 Semmes Friends Preview Book Sale, 4–5:30. Nov. 15 Brook Hollow Book Sale, 10–4. Nov. 15 Semmes Friends Annual Book Sale, 10–4. Nov. 16 Arts & Letters Awards Ceremony at Mission Branch Library, 2. Nov. 17 Las Palmas reopens. Nov. 21 Landa Members-Only Preview Book Sale, 3:30–5:30. Nov. 22 Landa Book Sale, 10–3:30. Nov. 22 Thousand Oaks Book Sale. Nov. 23 FOSAPL Board Meeting, Thousand Oaks Library, 2. Dec. 6 Las Palmas Grand Reopening Ceremony, 10:30. Dec. 6 Brook Hollow Friends meeting, 11. Dec. 6 BookCellar Holiday Market 11–5 Dec. 13 Semmes 20th Anniversary and Patio Party with entertainment, 10:30–12:30. Jan. 24 FOSAPL Annual Board Meeting, Central Library (Saturday), 2. What's New(s) with the Branches?
Brook Hollow
Saturday, Nov. 15, 10–4—A Big Book Sale Bonanza! Next Friends meeting Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. Great Northwest The GNW teens plan a monthly Short Story Club where they can write creative stories. They are able to share their stories with other teens and get some feedback on their writing from peers. Landa Landa Library Book Sale: Friday Nov. 21, 3:30-5:30 (FOSAPL members only preview sale); Saturday Nov. 22, 10-3:30 (Open to everyone) Las Palmas Las Palmas Library is scheduled to open to the public on Monday, Nov. 17, and the grand re-opening is set for Saturday, Dec. 6. McCreless The next meeting of the Friends of McCreless Library is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. Semmes Semmes Branch will hold its annual book sale the weekend of Nov. 14 &15. The Friends Preview Sale will be from 4–5:30 Friday, Nov. 14, and the sale to the public will be Saturday the 15th starting at 10. Semmes will also have a Party on the Patio Dec. 13 with entertainment from 10:30-12:30. Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks Friends annual Book Sale will be Saturday, Nov. 22. Tobin Tobin Library Friends will have a table at the District 10 Harvest Festival event at Lady Bird Johnson Park on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10:00-1:00 to raise awareness of Branch support groups and to recruit volunteers. Tobin Library will have its Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 13. Branch closuresCarver
The Carver Library is closed for a $12.8 million project. The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) has opened the Denver Heights Community Center, 300 Porter St., for interim service to Carver Branch Library patrons. The Carver Branch Library, 3350 E Commerce St., closed for renovations starting on August 11, 2025. The renovation project is expected to last approximately 20 months. 
FOSAPL Board is looking for a new TreasurerThe job is mostly writing 20-30 checks per month, tracking deposit information, filing tax reports (created by bookkeeper), and reviewing financial statements created by our bookkeeper. Experience with Excel is preferred For more information, please contact [email protected].
End-of-the-Year Giving AppealHello Friend,
This has been a wild year of unexpected changes to once reliable funding from government organizations and foundations but needs haven’t changed and, in many places, they are increasing. But Friends have each other and our steadfast belief in libraries because our neighborhoods rely on them—from free access to books and computers to gatherings for readings and meetings. It’s the “ber” months and soon you’ll be receiving texts, emails, and heart-wrenching remembrances of all the good work non-profits provide to the causes you care about. Here’s our ask: Declare your continued support! Renew your membership, encourage others to join, make an extra gift to remember a friend, or honor someone you admire. FOSAPL won’t cure cancer, or house the elderly, or invent flying cars, but we support our libraries where potential geniuses of all ages can get inspired. Your end-of-year donation can help. Thanks for reading, A Fellow Friend RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIPSend your renewal in an envelope with a check made out to Friends of the San Antonio Public Library or go online to friendsofsapl.org (https://form.jotform.com/73634777584169) to renew using PayPal or your credit card. Everyone who joins or renews their membership for 2024 will receive a coupon that may be redeemed at the BookCellar for a free regular price book. Join today and bring your family, friends, and neighbors!
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Arts & Letters Awards UpdateThe Friends of the San Antonio Public Library Arts and Letters Award Committee are pleased to announce three award recipients this year in the following categories: Artistic Merit, Arts Education, and Public Leadership.
The 2025 Award recipients are: Adriana M. Garcia for Artistic Merit, Juan Miguel Ramos for Arts Education, and Yadhira Lozano for Public Leadership. We congratulate them and look forward to honoring them on Nov. 16, @ 2 p.m. at Mission Branch Library at the 2025 Arts and Letters Award Ceremony.
Adriana M. Garcia is a visual artist with extensive work as an illustrator, muralist, animator and programmer creating an artistic augmented reality experience. Some of her mural work can be experienced and enjoyed in our beautiful city of San Antonio like at the World Heritage Center. She has been presented countless awards for her illustrations of various books and is highly supportive of the San Antonio Arts Community.
Juan Miguel Ramos has been an arts instructor at various institutions in San Antonio. He has received awards and residencies for his work. His work can be found in various notable personal collections. He even performs as a drummer with local bands! He is a homegrown artist committed to his city and his culture, and especially his students.
Yadhira Lozano has more than 20 years experience serving the public through her leadership in various roles. She has used these roles as opportunities to use her university studies in real-world applications. She has led major events and organizations in San Antonio from the Head of Communication at the Briscoe Museum to Director of Luminaria. She advocates for underrepresented artists and sits on several committees in the San Antonio Arts Community.
FOSAPL Board Meetings for 2025 Meetings begin at 2 p.m.
Leading up to the holidays, the BookCellar is celebrating with The Season of Surprises—a series of themed weekend sales that bring warmth and wonder to holiday shopping. Each week, a new surprise is revealed, pairing different fiction and nonfiction sections so there’s always something fresh to discover beneath the cellar door.
The festivities culminate with the BookCellar’s Annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 to 5, our biggest event of the year. During this special market weekend, shoppers can enjoy 50% off select “gift” sections—including Cookbooks, Home Arts, Religion, Art, and Vintage. It’s the perfect opportunity to find thoughtful holiday gifts while supporting the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library through your purchases at the BookCellar. To make the Holiday Market a success, volunteers are needed for setup, décor, customer assistance, and day-of support. The BookCellar is also welcoming a limited number of local vendors offering handcrafted or literary-themed goods to complement the celebration. Interested in volunteering or becoming a vendor? Join us this holiday season for The Season of Surprises and experience the joy of discovery, community, and giving back—only at the BookCellar, downstairs at the San Antonio Central Library. Contact [email protected]. The BookCeller is Open!
MORE HOURS TO SHOP IN THE BOOKCELLAR! 11-4 Thursdays 11-4 Fridays 11-4 Saturdays 
Buy books from the BookCellar here!
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