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.
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News & Events
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Arts & Letters Awards Announced
John Costello Sunday, November 3 l 2:00 Central Library Auditorium The Friends of the San Antonio Public Library announce the winners of the 2019 Arts and Letters Awards: Fernando Esteban Flores, Antoinette Franklin, Aundar Maat, and Kathleen Trenchard. The winners will be recognized at a ceremony at the main library on Sunday, November 3, and the public is welcome to attend.  Aundar Ma'at
Aundar Ma'at is a student of history, cultural activist, and business owner. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Maat’s service in the U.S. Air Force brought him to San Antonio. During his teaching career of 20 years, Maat became involved in the San Antonio community coordinating cultural festivals and events, such as Kwanzaa Market Festival, Pan-African Festival, and Black History for Children Book Exhibit. Maat is the author of Kwanzaa Tales of Africa, a story coloring book for children, and the co-owner of the independent film company, Melaneyes Media. A husband, father, and grandfather, Maat enjoys reading, researching, and sharing Black history.
 Fernando Esteban Flores
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in English, Fernando Esteban Flores taught writing at several secondary schools in San Antonio. Having received 2 ExCEL awards for excellence in teaching, Flores also was chosen as a distinguished educator from Bexar County by Trinity University’s Trinity Prize Committee. He is also the recipient of an ELLA award from the San Antonio Public Library System for his work in promoting literacy and education. His work has appeared in the San Antonio Express-News and The Houston Chronicle, along with numerous literary reviews and journals. Flores’ three books of poetry, Ragged Borders, Red Accordion Blues, and Blood Songs, were recently archived at the Ozuna Learning Center & Library at Palo Alto College as well as the San Antonio Public Library’s new Latino Collection. Flores is also the founder of Voces Cósmicas, an eclectic group of seasoned and emerging poets from San Antonio, TX.
 Antoinette Franklin
As a poet and author, Antoinette Franklin has taught creative writing classes and workshops at the Carver Library, Gemini Ink, and other locations, to assist and encourage young people. A graduate of University of the Incarnate Word and Webster University, Franklin has an active writing career and has published several anthologies. In addition to her writing and workshops, Franklin is involved with the Carver Cultural Center and with the San Antonio Public Library, having served as the president of the Friends at the Carver Branch Library and as Vice President of the Schaefer Friends.
 Kathleen Trenchard
Kathleen Trenchard‘s love of drawing and an awe of the traditional Mexican and Chinese art of paper cutting has produced an extensive body of work during her career. After graduating from the University of New Orleans and the Pratt Institute, Trenchard combined her teaching career with exploring the art of paper cutting. From simple paper cutting, she has translated this ancient art to new, more permanent materials, like metal and suede. Trenchard’s art can be seen in private homes, businesses, museums, and even VIA bus stops. Trenchard also exhibits regularly in San Antonio and lectures throughout Texas.
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Save the Date!
How to Win Friends and Influence People Mark your calendars now for the FOSAPL Membership Workshop, How to Win Friends and Influence People, on Sunday, September 22, from 1:30–4, at the Central Library Auditorium. Members from the branch Friends will have an opportunity to interact in round-table discussions on advocacy techniques, community grassroots partnerships, fund-raising, and other areas of shared interest. Our guest speaker, Kristy Vandenberg, Executive Director of Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation, will share information about membership recruitment, retention, and activities. More details to follow but plan now to attend. Please RSVP (required) at this link. Library Board Budget Committee News
by Juspreet Kaur City Manager Erik Walsh presented a $2.9 billion proposed budget to City Council last week. The FY 2020 Proposed Budget features investments in key City Council and community priorities, includes a new $5,000 homestead exemption with no City property tax rate increase and is balanced, despite challenges to revenue sources. The FY 2020 Proposed Budget focuses on property tax relief, strong families and children, housing affordability, street and sidewalk infrastructure and public safety. You can learn more about the budget at this upcoming event! If you have one of the purple Library shirts, please wear it to show how strong our presence is in the community. Thursday, August 29 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Telephone Town Hall - register here and join the meeting from the comfort of your home https://tthm.wufoo.com/forms/saspeakup-letas-talk-about-the-fy2020-budget/ Changes to the Central Library Parking Garage
In collaboration with CCDO (Center City Development & Operations), the decision was made to discontinue automatic three-hour free parking in the Central Library Parking Garage effective Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Library customers will continue to get up to three hours of free parking through the validation process. This is a first step to address the lack of parking for library customers and library staff, as well as other monthly parkers. Signage is posted in the garage and in the library to alert the public to this change. Communications with Library stakeholders, including partners co-located in the Central Library is ongoing. The Library continues to work in close coordination with CCDO. |
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