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.
News & Events

FOSAPL Calendar & Book Sales

July 4
Jan. 23 Annual Board Meeting, Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87610620086?pwd=TE5CQnlFNGIwYjZlQTVCRGxiVWFmQT09), 2 p.m.
Jan. 28–29 Semmes Friends book sale. Preview for members only is Friday, Jan. 28, from 10–11:30. General public sale is Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10–4.
Feb. 12 Brook Hollow Friends “Pop-Up” book sale
Feb. 15 Schaefer Friends meeting, 1:30.
Feb. 26 3rd Annual San Antonio African American Book Festival at Carver Library/Second Baptist Community Center from Noon-4 p.m.
Apr. 19 Schaefer Friends meeting, 1:30.
​​​The January–February 2022 issue of SAPLings is here!
The BookCeller is Open!
​This link has more info.
HELP WANTED
FOSAPL Online Sales Vendor          

Overview
The Friends of the San Antonio Public Library [FOSAPL] is a volunteer, 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support the San Antonio Public Library through both an Amazon.com store and a physical book store in the lower level of the Central Library (600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205). For more information about the Friends, see www.friendsofsapl.org.

The organization has an opportunity for a well-organized and knowledgeable person to continue operation of an Amazon.com store, “stocking” and selling good-quality hardback and paperback books that have been donated to FOSAPL.  Visit the store at https://tinyurl.com/FOSAPLBookCellar.

Job Details
  • The salary for this position is $15/hour, for 20 hours/week.; no benefits are provided.
  • Work hours are flexible (when scheduled in advance) and will include online work, accessing Amazon.com store at least twice every day. Sold books must be shipped within 24 hours of the sale.
  • Storage of sale items, posting new titles for sale and preparing purchases for shipping will be done in the BookCellar (not off-site).
  • Net sale revenues will be automatically deposited in a FOSAPL bank account.
  • Shipping supplies and equipment will be provided by FOSAPL. 
  • All mailing of items will be through USPS, using the media rate and charged to a FOSAPL account.  USPS receipts will be acquired for each item shipped.
  • Genres to be sold include art books, “Best Sellers,” cookbooks, Texas history and culture, paperbacks, and rare books. Selection of titles to be sold will be done cooperatively by FOSAPL and the selected contractor, from items currently housed in the BookCellar or from other donations.
  • The person in this position will work under the direction of the BookCellar Manager and cooperatively with BookCellar volunteers. Online Sales information will be provided to the Officers of the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library monthly, or as requested.
  • Operation of a personal online bookstore will be prohibited while employed in this position.
 
Job Qualifications
  • Experience (2+ years) and proven success with digital marketing and online sales
  • Experience selling books on Amazon or similar marketing platform to sell books
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to work independently, with minimal oversight
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work cooperatively with others
  • Knowledge of inventory appraisal, management, and tracking
  • Expertise with Excel, Word, email, and similar office software
  • Diplomacy, tact, and emotional maturity

Application Submittals (email, letter and/or résumé) should be sent to fosaplsecretary@gmail.com.
What's New(s) with the Branches?
Brook Hollow
The Brook Hollow Branch Library is now able to accept book donations. The Brook Hollow Branch Library is now able to accept book donations. The Brook Hollow Friends will hold their next meeting on Saturday, March 12, at 11. --Pat Finley

Carver
Carver Library has events and programs for the whole family. Click the following link to view the Carver Calendar: https://www.mysapl.org/Events-News/Events-Calendar/id/car.

Encino
In January, the library will use Encino Friends funding for a “Home-made Household Cleaners” class. --Carla Pomager

Forest Hills
Interim services remain available at Gilbert Garza Community Center, 1450 Mira Vista, 78228, and full library services are available nearby.
 
Library Services Schedule for Gilbert Garza Community Center*
  • Tuesday 2 p.m.–­5 p.m.
  • Wednesday – Friday 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
  • Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
*Service hours are adjusted for holiday weeks. Please check current hours on our website.
 
Full Library Services Are Available Nearby At
  • Westfall Branch Library (6111 Rosedale Ct., 78201)
  • Guerra Branch Library (7978 W. Military Dr., 78227)
Library staff is available to provide assistance or answer questions by phone at 210-207-9230 or by chat at ask.mysapl.org/. --Jessica Zurita

Igo
Our first meeting of 2022 will be held Saturday, Jan. 8, at 10:30 at the Igo library. Our first Book Sale of the year will be in February. --Al Rakus
 
Maverick
If you’re interested in joining us in the meantime, we continue to meet at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month via Zoom. --Amanda Dickinson

McCreless
Members will be notified via phone and email when the next meeting will be held. --Jill Zimmerman

Parman
We will have our first meeting of 2022 in March. 
We are anticipating having our next book sale in April. --Leslie Cavill Burns

San Pedro
Please come by and see the park, as there have been extensive renovations there too! The library parking lot has been refinished (no parking meters, either.) There are new walking paths, including one that extends behind the library, and lots of trees. The Friends of the San Pedro Springs Park donated a direct copy of the original 1871 map of the park. The framed map is displayed in the entryway for visitors to see, and will remain a permanent fixture at the library. --Diane Backus

Semmes
Semmes Friends have scheduled our first book sale of 2022 for Jan. 28–29 at Semmes Library in the large meeting room. Preview for members only is Friday, Jan. 28, from 10–11:30. General public sale is Saturday, Jan. 29, from 10–4. -- Sandy Sherman
Support
Support the Friends
Join
Membership benefits include
  • Invitations to all programs
  • Announcements for exhibits & events
  • Attendance at book sale previews
  • Bi-monthly newsletter, 
    ​    SAPLings​
Shop
Buy books from the BookCellar
https://tinyurl.com/FOSAPLBookCellar.
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE:
The Annual Meeting will be a Zoom meeting (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87610620086?pwd=TE5CQnlFNGIwYjZlQTVCRGxiVWFmQT09), Sunday, January 23, at 2:00 PM.
The BookCellar will be closed this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21 & 22, due to the weather. Please visit us next week!
HELP WANTED
FOSAPL BookCellar Manager  

Overview
The Friends of the San Antonio Public Library [FOSAPL] is a volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds to support the San Antonio Public Library through both an Amazon.com store and a physical bookstore in the lower level of the Central Library (600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205).  The organization has an opportunity for a well-organized, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable person to recruit and train volunteers, oversee an online sales vendor, and coordinate the provision of services for a bookstore that is currently open Fridays and Saturdays (11-4pm).  Visit the BookCellar webpage at http://www.friendsofsapl.org/bookcellar-used-book-store.html and the Amazon store at https://tinyurl.com/FOSAPLBookCellar .
 
Job Details
  • The salary for this position is $15/hour, for 25 hours/week; no benefits are provided.
  • Work hours are generally five hours per day for a five-day week, including at least two Saturdays per month. Work hours are flexible, when scheduled in advance and when public service coverage allows.
  • Management duties include direction and coordination of approximately 15-30 volunteers, preparation of daily receipts, daily bank deposits, review of BookCellar inventory and storage, communication of safety or custodial needs to appropriate Library staff and monitoring the work of a paid online sales vendor.
  • Marketing duties include provision of BookCellar information to Friends’ social media coordinators, review of prices, attractive presentation of book stock, and planning of special sales.
  • To ensure that sales and revenue are optimized both at the BookCellar and at branch Friends’ groups sales, collaboration with branch Friends groups is expected.
  • The position will communicate regularly with the President of the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, other officers, and the Assistant to the Library Director but will plan and accomplish most management tasks independently.

Job Qualifications
  • Experience (12+ years) in education, social services, marketing, or volunteer management
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to plan work, and to motivate individuals and a group
  • Proven leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills
  • Expertise with Word, Excel, email, and other office technology
  • Diplomacy, tact, patience, reliability, and emotional maturity
 
Application Submittals (résumé and email or cover letter) should be sent to fosaplsecretary@gmail.com.
​Third Annual San Antonio African-American Book Festival
 
The Friends of Carver Library are proud to present the 3rd Annual San Antonio African American Book Festival on February 26, 2022. We are currently accepting submissions for Participating Authors throughout the state of Texas.

If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in this one-of-a-kind event, please read the details below.

Pertinent Details:
  Date:         Saturday February 26, 2022
  Time:         Noon-5 pm
  Author’s Fee:   $50
  Location: 
      Authors: Second Baptist Community Center
 
Important Dates & Deadlines:
    Exact Date - TBA 
      SAAABF Author’s Mixer
   February 26, 2022
      3rd Annual San Antonio African American Book Festival
 
Miscellaneous:
   All Authors must arrive to Event no later than 11:30 to set up
   Deadline to RSVP for the SAAABF Author’s Mixer is February 10, 2022
   The Author’s Fee includes the following:
  • 1 Table, 2 Chairs (you must provide your own table cover)
  • 1 Ticket to the SAAABF VIP Mixer on Friday February 25, 2022 (Details TBA)
  • Picture and Bio featured in Program Booklet, Friends of Carver Website and Facebook Page
For more details, please visit our website at https://the-friends-of-carver-library.mailchimpsites.com/saaabf or email us at carverfriends@gmail.com.
MLK Jr. Day SAPL Closure – https://www.mysapl.org/
Do You Love Books? (So Do We!)

Sue Hall, BookCellar Manager

We run the nonprofit book store in the Central Library, downtown, and generate money to support the library.

Our volunteers get free parking during their volunteer hours, training to do a variety of interesting tasks, and a discount on the books and DVDs they purchase. Volunteers earn badges and aprons, while working with a great team! 

You must be over 18, and able to commit to one 4-hour shift per week during 11:00-3:00, Monday-Saturday.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please contact the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library BookCellar Manager at fosaplbkclrmanager@gmail.com, or call 210-227-9519 during store hours.
Dial-A-Story - https://www.mysapl.org/Services/For-/Services-for-Children/ArtMID/19361/ArticleID/9413/Dont-Forget-Dial-A-Story
SAPL Current Services

​SAPL hours, services and available facilities have changed, so get the most current information about your favorite library here https://www.mysapl.org/.
Learn & Remember -https://guides.mysapl.org/holocaustlearnandremember